The new Istanbul Atatürk International Airport Terminal, had been tendered under Build-Oparate-Tranfer system by DHMI, and the winning consortium was (T.A.V.) While T.A.V. was seeking a strong partner to act as a Duty Free operator, Unifree and Heinemann partnership was established to reach the expectation. Unifree had great experience in managing duty free retailing in the Turkish market, while Gebr Heinemann is a leading duty free retailer and wholesaler worldwide. T.A.V. distinguished Unifree-Heinemann partnership as the winner of the tender in 1999.

Thereafter Unifree joined forces with Tepe and Akfen which are the two construction companies that had formed T.A.V, to establish a new, very powerfull duty free operating company under the name of ATÜ ( Akfen-Tepe-Unifree) to create and manage a shoppers heaven in the İstanbul Atatürk International Airport.

Having joined forces, the constructor and the retailer were able to act together, for the concept, design and architecture of the duty free shopping area.

The result of the first year in operation, achieved a great score by receiving the 2nd. award as "Airport Retailer of the Year 2000" by the sectorial Frontier Magazine. Also Istanbul Atatürk International Airport was ranked among the best airport duty free services according to the worldwide survey by a company from the U.K. The survey was repeated in 2002, to prove ATÜ among the best 4 Duty Free Services worldwide.

The duty free shops of the Istanbul Atatürk Airport serve an enormous number of guests with a very elegant atmosphere and a wide range of products everyday. From gifts to home textiles, toys to sports equipment, wine to chocolate, jewellery, perfume and underwear of the best quality with select brands, many "duty free" shops are located at both Arrival and Departure floors.

More than 700 personnel in Sales and Operations, Corporate Communications and Customer Relations, Human Resources and Quality System, Purchasing and Administration, Information Technologies, Logistics, Finance, Accountants, Inspection departments work around the clock to serve their best with DIN EN ISO 9001:2000 standarts.

TAV obtained the operating rights by winning the tenders for the new İzmir Adnan Menderes and Ankara Esenboğa International Airports as of 2006. The tenders both were for Built-Operate-Tranfer system as in Istanbul. ATÜ, accordingly extended its operation area to both new terminals.

Beginning of 2007, Georgia Tbilisi International Airport was also included among facilities, as well as Batumi International Airport (may 2007) and ATÜ extended operation area beyond Turkish borders for the first time.

ATÜ created a commercial partnership between İzmir, Ankara, Georgia. This was a refreshing touch to the business environment. It set new opportunities and horizons.

ATÜ today, is acting sole operator of the duty free stores at international terminals of 3 major cities in Turkey as well as Tbilisi-Georgia. Operating 24 stores directly and 15 sub-contractors with a grand total of 39 seperate stores, the company is proud with the service provided for all passengers who become shoppers in the Duty Free Shops Area, having proved true success during the term since establishment.