Abu Dhabi airport revenue up 24% in 2012

Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC), the operator of Abu Dhabi’s five airports, revealed on Wednesday that Abu Dhabi Duty Free retail revenue reached AED 809.5 million in 2012, an increase of 24% over 2011, setting a new record for the company. The announcement was made today by the Chief Operating Officer, Mohammed Al Bulooki at the opening of Trinity Forum 2013, hosted by Abu Dhabi Airports Company. The retail figures reflect an increase in both Spend Per Passenger and average transaction value during 2012. The increases are mainly due to the attractive combination of the retail mix, a variety of luxury brands and the promotional campaigns of the retail operators. In 2012, Abu Dhabi International Airport’s passenger numbers grew by 18.9%, bringing 14.7 million passengers through the airport. “Through the careful planning and efforts of the entire team, along with ADAC’s retail partners, Abu Dhabi Duty Free increased revenue to a record of 809.5 million representing a 24% increase over 2011. Such commitment and creativity won ADAC the prestigious Frontiers Awards for “Best Airport Operator of the Year 2012,” Al Bulooki said in his opening speech. New projects set to be completed in 2013 are a new Armani boutique and doubling the size of the Burberry boutique, which will include the addition of ready to wear in Terminal Three. These new projects will further increase the breadth of the airport’s retail offer for its passengers. Al Bulooki also presented the new Midfield Terminal program and advised delegates that the retail business will grow to over AED 1.5 billion by 2017 when the new airport is scheduled to open. The Midfield Terminal project is one of the largest aviation infrastructure projects in the world and will facilitate the growth of the Capital of the UAE and its national carrier, Etihad Airways. The Trinity Forum, the travel retail industry’s key annual conference, is taking place from 29th and 31st January 2013 in Abu Dhabi, and it is jointly organized by the Moodie Report and Airports Council International (ACI). The conference has attracted around 300 delegates looking to advance discussions and a mutual understanding of development in the airport retail industry.