IRAQ. Iraq Duty Free, which enjoys an exclusive 15-year concession to operate duty free shops at all airports run by the Iraqi Civil Aviation Authority, is rapidly expanding its business.
Purchasing Manager Ahmed Munther said that the retailer has recently opened a point of sale in Basra International Airport as well as its multi-location presence in Baghdad International Airport.
The company, which operated in Baghdad before the war, opened again in July 2003 in the departure lounge of terminal C. Sales were made to coalition forces and foreign contractors who had access to the secure zone of the airport.
In February 2004 the departure lounge went into commercial operation, serving a handful of commercial flights each week. At that point Iraq Duty Free opened an identical shop in terminal D, serving special personnel.
The airport consists of three identical terminal hubs, B, C and C. Each terminal has ten gates situated on two floors, with arrivals on the ground level and departures on the upper.
Munther invited suppliers to visit the facility, commenting: “Please do not believe what you see on your news about our country. Baghdad and the rest of Iraq is progressing in many ways to a sense of normality. Flights are full, in and out of Baghdad”¦ we will arrange for you a very comfortable stay at our secure compound/offices and guest house that is located 10 minutes drive away from the terminal building. Your trip will be 100% risk free, we guarantee this.”
Sales (in US Dollars) over the past six months have been as follows – for terminal D, terminal C (arrivals) and terminal C (departures) and total sales:
November 2004: 206,658.00; 14,486,25; 32,195.00; 253,339.25
December 2004: 260,521.00; 31,662.50; 46,178.75; 338,362.25
January 2005: 105,727.00; 53,498.75; 41,210.00; 200,435,75
February 2005: 197,129.00; 35,121.25; 48,363.75; 280,614.00
March 2005: 181,122.00; 45,051.52; 50,330.00; 273,503.25
April 2005: 166,880.00; 38,680.00; 39,940.00; 245,500.00
Source: Iraq Duty Free
Iraqi Airways currently offers four to six flights a day Baghdad-Amman; and two flights a day Baghdad-Damascus. Additionally there are around four daily private flights to Dubai.
Jordanian Airways has four to six daily flights on the Baghdad-Amman route while AirServ offers four to six flights Baghdad-Amman and Erbil. Further business is provided by regular charter and VIP flights.
