DDF losing Dh73,000 per day
Following the implementation of the new aviation security regulations, the Dubai Duty Free (DDF) has been losing around $20,000 (Dh73,000) per day on sales revenue.
The new policy imposes restrictions on the amount of liquids, aerosols and gels that passengers can carry in their hand luggage.
The new security policy, which is a standard requirement of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), is set to be strictly implemented at the Dubai International Airport (DIA) from June 17.
Duty free shops all across the world have been reporting losses following the implementation of the new rules. Members of the Duty Free World Council (DFWC) have already expressed their concern over the losses they are having to incur. However, Colm McLoughlin, managing director of DDF, has said that certain measures are being sought to sort out the matter.
McLoughlin said that the DDF, together with other representatives of the travel retail industry, had been actively coordinating with the DFWC in a bid to specifically address the ‘transfer passenger problem’, where duty free-purchased items often get confiscated at security checkpoints of the connecting airports.
While the issue about confiscation of duty free items may not affect passengers travelling in direct flights, it has become a concern for those taking transfer flights. “We are talking with the European Union civil aviation and seeking their certification on DIA as a secure and safe airport,” said McLoughlin.
McLoughlin said the other option that had been introduced was the use of sealed and tamper-evident bags (STEBs), which are accepted by airports worldwide. “We have already ordered the bags and we are expecting the delivery soon. By using the STEBs, passengers can purchase any items like perfumes and beverages at the DDF without fear of the goods being confiscated during transfer flights,” he assured.
Khaleej Times has learned that the bags will be available at the DDF towards the end of this month or by the first week of July.
The other duty free organisations lobbying for sorting out of the “transfer passenger problem” include the European Travel Retail Council, the Middle East Duty Free Association (to which DDF is affiliated), and airport retail groups in the Americas and Asia Pacific, according to McLoughlin. Source
The new policy imposes restrictions on the amount of liquids, aerosols and gels that passengers can carry in their hand luggage.
The new security policy, which is a standard requirement of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), is set to be strictly implemented at the Dubai International Airport (DIA) from June 17.
Duty free shops all across the world have been reporting losses following the implementation of the new rules. Members of the Duty Free World Council (DFWC) have already expressed their concern over the losses they are having to incur. However, Colm McLoughlin, managing director of DDF, has said that certain measures are being sought to sort out the matter.
McLoughlin said that the DDF, together with other representatives of the travel retail industry, had been actively coordinating with the DFWC in a bid to specifically address the ‘transfer passenger problem’, where duty free-purchased items often get confiscated at security checkpoints of the connecting airports.
While the issue about confiscation of duty free items may not affect passengers travelling in direct flights, it has become a concern for those taking transfer flights. “We are talking with the European Union civil aviation and seeking their certification on DIA as a secure and safe airport,” said McLoughlin.
McLoughlin said the other option that had been introduced was the use of sealed and tamper-evident bags (STEBs), which are accepted by airports worldwide. “We have already ordered the bags and we are expecting the delivery soon. By using the STEBs, passengers can purchase any items like perfumes and beverages at the DDF without fear of the goods being confiscated during transfer flights,” he assured.
Khaleej Times has learned that the bags will be available at the DDF towards the end of this month or by the first week of July.
The other duty free organisations lobbying for sorting out of the “transfer passenger problem” include the European Travel Retail Council, the Middle East Duty Free Association (to which DDF is affiliated), and airport retail groups in the Americas and Asia Pacific, according to McLoughlin. Source
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