Abu Dhabi Duty Free plans 12,000sq m duty-free complex

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The growth of new airline Etihad Airways spurs Abu Dhabi International airport to rethink its new terminal, says ADDF managing director Mohamed Mounib

Abu Dhabi Duty Free has requested 12,000sq m (129,100sq ft) of duty-free space in the new terminal at Abu Dhabi International airport, double the space it had originally planned. The terminal is expected to open in the final quarter of 2007 after the government ordered the project to be frozen and new plans drawn up.

The move was driven by the rapid growth of new national carrier Etihad Airways. The airline has just ordered 24 new wide-bodied aircraft including the new Airbus A-380, which will fuel huge additional demand for capacity at Abu Dhabi in the future.

Abu Dhabi Duty Free managing director Mohamed Mounib told TRW: ?Between 2006 and 2007 Etihad will take possession of 24 new aircraft, taking its fleet to 34, including the new A-380. This is a huge development for us. But the Etihad announcement also meant we had to put plans for the new terminal on hold and rethink every aspect of the project.?

?We have now briefed the airport on what we require from a commercial viewpoint, based on the new forecast passenger numbers and the aircraft that are expected. It will be a new mega-airport. We've requested 12,000sq m of duty-free retail space plus 5,500sq m (59,200sq ft) for food and beverage, double what we forecast under the original plans for the new terminal. We also want all commercial operations to be housed on a single floor, which is a departure from the original plans, although this will be contingent on how the design and layout are planned. Because we handle all commercial business we also have to draw up plans for hotels, VIP lounges and counter services as well as retail.?

The launch of Etihad has had a dramatic impact on business at Abu Dhabi, with sales up 30% for the first six months of 2004. The retailer's Summer Fiesta programme, which runs until August 31, has also resulted in surging sales since it began in June.

Mounib forecast a 15% rise in sales this year, to around $97m.