SAUDI ARABIA. Lagardère Travel Retail has expanded its food and beverage presence at Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Medina with the opening of the Marché and Sawa concepts. The locations expand the travel retailer’s Saudi Arabian restaurant network to 20 restaurants across Riyadh, Dammam and Medina airports. Sawa’s Middle Eastern concept has grown to six locations in Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Four of them are in Saudi Arabia – two in Riyadh and one each in Dammam and Medina (the newly opened site in the photo above) – and two more in Dubai. Below, stakeholders gather to celebrate the opening of Sawa at Medina Airport. They also mark the latest development in Lagardère Travel Retail’s partnership with Medina Airport operator and landlord Tibah Airports. The relationship began with the launch of duty free operations in 2023 and has since expanded to travel essentials and, over the past year, food and beverage. Marchais makes his debut in the Medina Lagardère Travel Retail presented its own concept of the Marché international food hall in the international passenger area of the airport. The 52-seat establishment has a linear counter divided into four culinary sections: Italian, Indian, Lebanese, as well as coffee and snacks. A group of stakeholders pose for another memorable image as sales of the Marché international food hall concept begin. The menu combines international cuisine with regional favorites including hummus, shawarma, falafel, manaish and shakshuka, complemented by local touches such as karak tea. The Indian selection includes an extensive vegetarian offering. The venue’s bazaar-inspired design features warm sandy tones and displays that reflect the location and cater to Medina Airport’s diverse international passenger base. Food is prepared on site and vegetarian and vegan options form an important part of the menu. The operation also includes Lagardère Travel Retail’s PEPS (Planet, Ethics, People and Social) sustainability program, including measures to reduce single-use plastic and increase recyclable alternatives. Sawa expands regional network Lagardère Travel Retail also opened the 225 sqm Sawa restaurant. m in the arrival area of international flights. The menu focuses on Lebanese and Middle Eastern cuisine, including mezze, manaish, shawarma, grilled dishes, wraps and Lebanese rice dishes, as well as an extensive selection of coffees and drinks. Madinah Restaurant features Sawa’s colorful contemporary design, combining modern style with references to regional culinary culture. It is important to note that this location has a broader operational function within the Lagardère Travel Retail business in Madina. Its expanded kitchen serves as a central production facility supporting several of the company’s other F&B brands at the airport, including Marché, So! Coffee and Trib. Lagardère Travel Retail said this approach allows it to maintain a diverse portfolio of concepts while improving operational efficiencies throughout the airport. Reaction Lagardère Travel Retail’s chief operating officer for France and Luxembourg and chief operating officer for the Middle East and Asia, Vincent Romet, said: “Saudi Arabia is a vital market for Lagardère Travel Retail and we are delighted to see our gastronomic operations continue to take shape in Riyadh, Dammam and Medina. “These vacancies reflect the strength of our local teams and our ability to combine international experience with a deep understanding of each region. “By adapting our concepts, offerings and operating models to local conditions, we strive to provide travelers with relevant and enjoyable experiences while continuing to support our partners and our operations in the Kingdom.” Lagardère Travel Retail Saudi Arabia CEO Mélanie Giidou added: “Marchais and Sawa epitomize the approach we take in Saudi Arabia: developing a diverse portfolio of restaurants while ensuring each concept is relevant to the environment and the passengers we serve. “We are particularly proud of our local teams, who combine operational agility with deep market understanding. “These openings are another step in our ongoing work with our airport partners to improve the passenger experience.” Medina is one of Saudi Arabia’s most important aviation gateways, serving millions of religious visitors as well as playing a growing role in tourism development and the Kingdom’s economic diversification ambitions. Post navigation Mathspace reports a data breach affecting more than 1 million people 5 Underrated Time Travel Movies You (Probably) Haven’t Seen! (September 2026)