Dubai Duty Free partially reopens airport retail area as airlines resume services

Airport retailer Dubai Duty Free (DDF) has partially reopened its retail area in Concourse B – West at Dubai International Airport, it announced on Sunday, with plans to also resume operations in Terminal 2.

DDF closed its retail operations on March 25, following the UAE government’s announcement to suspend passenger flights due to the Covid-19 outbreak.

The announcement came after the UAE said last week that it would allow airports to reopen for limited passenger flights.

Read: UAE reopens airports in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah

DDF said it has implemented the appropriate preventative measures including directional floor markings, a one-shopper-one-trolley policy, the installation of plexiglass at the point of sale, and cash and product sanitisation equipment. Customers have also been urged to use contactless payments.

In-store digital and print signages of the safety measures have also been installed.

DDF has also introduced a concierge service in Concourse B-West to assist shoppers with their purchases. Customers can order products from the concierge counter and the goods will be picked by Dubai Duty Free staff and delivered for payment.

“We were very pleased to receive the approval from the government authorities to open our shops in Concourse B-West and we are happy to be back and serving our customers once more,” said Dubai Duty Free’s executive vice chairman and CEO Colm McLoughlin.

“We have been planning the reopening since mid-April and have put in place an extensive range of sanitisation and re-zoning measures that will ensure the safety of our customers and our staff.”

He added: “We expect to open our retail operation in Terminal 2 later this week, so that is more good news for passengers flying on non-Emirates flights.”

DDF has also re-introduced its Click and Collect service, allowing customers to order online 48 hours before travelling, with the goods available for pick up on Departure.

UAE airlines including Emirates and Etihad have announced that they will resume passenger services to select destinations starting this month.

Emirates will offer services to 16 additional cities from June 15, offering flights for passengers from Dubai to 29 cities.

Read: Emirates to resume flights to 16 more cities from June 15, including New York, Singapore

Meanwhile Etihad said it would restart regular passenger flights to 20 cities across Asia, Europe and Australia from June 10.

Read: Abu Dhabi’s Etihad to resume regular flights to 20 cities from June 10