The DAA’s international retailing subsidiary, Aer Rianta International, has been chosen by Abu Dhabi Airports Company to operate a ten-year duty free contract at Abu Dhabi International Airport.
The contract will begin in December 2017, with Aer Rianta retailing the perfume, cosmetics, skincare, sunglasses and fashion jewellery categories in the new Midfield terminal at the airport.
The new terminal will facilitate 28,000 sq m of commercial space when it opens in late 2017, and the entire duty free area will cover 7,500 sq m in total.
Abu Dhabi has the second largest airport in the United Arab Emirates and one of the biggest and fastest growing airport hubs globally, with routes to over 94 destinations in 56 countries.
It also serves as a base and hub to Etihad Airways, the national flag carrier of the UAE.
Development at Abu Dhabi International Airport includes a state-of-the-art terminal building, associated aircraft parking stands and support facilities, as well as duty free shops and restaurants that will cater for a total capacity of 27.1 million annual passengers.
Commenting on the deal, Aer Rianta CEO Jack MacGowan said: “Delivering ‘sensational experiences’ was at the heart of our proposal and it will be especially rewarding to see our innovative designs, retail concepts and customer services brought to life at the new Midfield terminal.
“This is a significant win for ARI, in what was one of the most competitive tender processes in recent travel retail history,” he added.
