IRAQ. Iraq Duty Free is gearing up to open at an additional international airport location in 2020.
Speaking to The Moodie Davitt Report for the Official MEADFA Guide, Iraq Duty Free CEO Ahmed Kamal said the retailer has signed a ten-year contract with the Iraqi Civil Aviation Authority and Ministry of Transport to run shops at the new Kirkuk International Airport.
The Financial Links-owned retailer will open a 190sq m departures and 230sq m arrivals store when the new airport opens in the first quarter of 2020.
The expansion comes after the retailer invested in its operations at Baghdad International Airport.
In the Iraqi Airways terminal for Iraq’s busiest airport, a new 135sq m renovated arrivals store opened in March 2018 and a renovated 510sq m departures store opened in December 2018.
In the international airlines terminal, a renovated 135sq m arrivals store opened on 20 November and a renovated departures store of 510sq m will open in the first quarter of 2020.
At Basrah International Airport, meanwhile, a new arrivals store is scheduled to start trading by the end of the first quarter as well as a new departures shop, located inside the new Emirates terminal, which will open at the same time. The new arrivals shop will increase in size from the existing 20sq m to 85sq m in the new location, and the new departures store will cover 36sq m.
“With the new stores, product identity is more visible to travellers, giving easy access to desired brands, smooth movement between the categories with new brands to cater to customer needs and requirements,” Kamal said.
He added his gratitude for the support of Civil Aviation Deputy Director General Ali Taqi as the retailer grows.
