Avolta AG expands its airport presence in Italy by entering Verona Valerio Catullo Airport under a 10-year food and beverage contract and extending its operations into dining at Florence Amerigo Vespucci Airport through a 6-year agreement.
The move introduces five food and beverage concepts in Verona and two new airside dining formats in Florence, marking the company’s first presence at Verona and its first food and beverage operations at Florence.
The new openings combine international brands with Italian-inspired formats designed to reflect local culinary traditions while meeting different passenger needs. At Florence, the additions sit alongside Avolta’s existing travel retail stores, creating a broader commercial footprint across both retail and food services at the airport.
The Verona development represents Avolta’s entry into a new airport in north-east Italy, a region that continues to see strong passenger flows driven by tourism, business travel and proximity to major cultural destinations. The five dining concepts are designed to serve travellers seeking quick refreshments, sit-down meals and Italian flavours before departure or on arrival.
At Florence Amerigo Vespucci Airport, Avolta’s expansion into food and beverage introduces two airside concepts on the ground floor. These focus on Tuscan-inspired dishes alongside a traditional Italian bar and coffee offering, a staple of Italy’s airport culture that caters to early-morning departures and short-haul travellers alike.
“These openings reflect how our business in Italy continues to grow and evolve,” said Massimiliano Santoro, CEO Italy, Avolta. “Bringing travel retail and food and beverage together allows us to better serve airports and create a more rounded experience for travelers.”
The company says the latest agreements highlight its integrated approach to airport commercial development, combining retail shopping and dining experiences under one operational model. By entering Verona while simultaneously expanding services at Florence, Avolta aims to support airport partners with diversified revenue streams and enhanced passenger services.
Italy remains a strategic growth market for airport retail and hospitality as international tourism continues to rebound and regional travel strengthens. Airports such as Verona, which serves northern Italy and popular leisure destinations, are increasingly investing in upgraded food and beverage concepts to improve dwell time and customer satisfaction.
Florence, a key gateway to Tuscany, attracts a high proportion of international visitors who often arrive early or spend extended time airside, making dining offers a central part of the passenger experience. The addition of local-inspired cuisine aligns with broader airport trends that favour regional authenticity over standardised fast-food formats.
Avolta’s expanded footprint also reflects a wider shift in airport commercial strategy, where food and beverage increasingly rivals retail as a major revenue driver. Travellers are spending more time in terminals and seeking higher-quality dining options that mirror city-centre experiences.
Together, the Verona and Florence openings demonstrate Avolta’s focus on combining global operating expertise with local market identity, strengthening its position across Italy’s airport network while responding to evolving passenger expectations.
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