New airlines set to bolster business at Abu Dhabi and Al Ain

Tina Milton

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A number of new carriers will begin operations at Abu Dhabi airport this month, which is llikely to increase passenger footfall to its duty-free stores

Duty-free sales are likely to be given a boost at Abu Dhabi airport as a number of new airlines begin operations this month. Air Finland will operate 204 flights at Abu Dhabi over the next few months, while Swiss charter airline Belair Airlines will begin business this month, as will the first direct flights from Moscow to Abu Dhabi with Transaero. Airlines.Abu Dhabi Duty Free managing director Mohamed Mounib said: “All these flights are expected to bring 72,000 transit passengers into the duty-free stores.

Passengers will come to realise the benefit of shopping at Abu Dhabi going to their holiday destinations and on their return. We are delighted with the mix of business due to connect Abu Dhabi to these new destinations.”

Al Ain International will also welcome its first major charter airlines - Tui Fly Nordic and Thomson Fly – this month both of which will use the airport as a stop off to the Sub-Continents and Middle East. Both airlines will operate with a total of 302 flights carrying approximately 85,000 passengers.

Mounib added that the duty-free business at Al Ain has now been relocated and is undergoing refurbishments in preparations for the growth of its passenger base. Al Ain welcomes about 1m passengers a year, mostly travelling to and from the Indian sub-continent. The duty-free business at the airport is worth about $6m a year.