Confiscation refund initiative touted at MEDFA

Gavin Lipsith

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An industry initiative to refund passengers for confiscated duty-free liquids was debated during the Middle East Duty Free Association conference in Dubai

A global refund commitment to transfer passengers who have had duty-free purchases confiscated was suggested at last week’s Middle East Duty Free Association conference. The proposal was raised as a step to stem the loss of industry credibility arising from the confiscation of about 10 tons of duty-free products a day at European airports.

The suggestion was made following a session on liquids, aerosols and gels (LAGs) restrictions, in which Abu Dhabi Duty Free (ADDF) general manager Dan Cappell (representing his former company Aer Rianta International-Middle East), ADDF retail development manager Richard Isaac, Dubai Duty Free director IT and logistics Ramesh Cidambi and European Travel Retail Council president Frank O’Connell discussed the latest developments in the industry's LAGs campaign.

Following statements of concern about the loss of industry credibility made by all panellists, Global Travel Retail Sales director David Spillane and Moodie International managing director and conference moderator Martin Moodie suggested that the industry as a whole should take responsibility for refunding passengers as an act of good faith and to help restore confidence in duty-free stores. Spillane suggested that the industry consider setting up a website alerting passengers worldwide that they are eligible for refunds if their purchases are confiscated.

While the initiative was greeted positively, O’Connell pointed out that funding and coordinating the move would require greater resources than ETRC—which has headed the global LAGs effort to date—has at its disposal at present.

The debate concluded a lively and stimulating MEDFA conference, which will be covered in depth in DFNI December 15.