Airport board approves amending DFS settlement to allow 3-year Lotte lease extension

The Guam International Airport Authority (GIAA) board approved amending a settlement agreement with DFS Guam to permit a three-year extension of Lotte Duty Free Guam’s airport concession contract, which was set to expire on July 20th. This decision followed correspondence between Governor Lou Leon Guerrero and DFS, indicating a willingness to allow the extension to ensure continued airport services. The move stems from a previous decade-long legal battle between DFS and Lotte, which concluded with a $2.4 million settlement paid to DFS in October 2024.

Legal counsel Bucky Brennan explained that the amendment affects only the settlement agreement, and a formal lease extension requires a separate board vote. Senator Jesse Lujan expressed concerns about the timeline for a potential legislative extension proposed by the Guam Economic Development Authority (GEDA), citing budget hearings that could delay the process and potentially lead Lotte to reconsider its presence on Guam. He suggested the governor call a special legislative session to expedite the process.

In addition to the lease extension, the board awarded a contract to Blue Ocean Group, doing business as International Health Providers, to provide professional medical services, including occupational safety and emergency medical services for airport personnel.

(Source：Guam Daily News)