May 16 (Reuters) - Swiss duty-free retailer Avolta

posted first-quarter turnover of 2.83 billion Swiss

francs ($3.14 billion) on Thursday, marking a year-on-year rise

as global travel recovered.

Avolta, which says it operates in more than 1,000 locations

across 73 countries and offers brands including Nestle,

Starbucks ( SBUX ) and Burger King, had posted a turnover of

2.36 billion Swiss francs in the same period a year earlier.

The group also posted core earnings before interest, taxes

depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) of 168.6 million Swiss

francs, up from 134.1 million for the same period in 2023.

"With a strong start in the first quarter and continued

positive trends in the second, we confidently prepare for the

upcoming summer season," said Chief Executive Xavier Rossinyol.

Avolta has been benefiting from a strong rebound in global

travel, particularly in Europe and the U.S., as global passenger

traffic edges closer to pre-pandemic levels worldwide.

The company confirmed its full-year and medium-term targets

and said turnover in the Asia-Pacific region grew by 5.5%

organically to 144.3 million Swiss francs, driven by a recovery

in intra-regional traffic.

($1 = 0.9004 Swiss francs)