Dubai Duty Free announces temporary closing of operations due to UAE passenger flight suspension
Colm McLoughlin, Vice Chairman and CEO, Dubai Duty Free
In order to help curb the spread of COVID-19, UAE has taken the precaution to suspend all inbound, outbound and transit passenger flights in Abu Dhabi and Dubai for a period of two weeks beginning Wednesday March 25. Cargo and emergency evacuation flights will be exempt.
The new regulations, put in place by the General Civil Aviation Authority, were originally going to being on March 26 but the date was moved up as the global situation becomes ever more critical.
In light of this development, Dubai Duty Free will temporarily cease retail operations, Vice Chairman and CEO Colm McLoughlin affirmed. “The UAE Government has announced the flight suspension from later this weekfor two weeks, and that will lead us to temporarily close all of our retail operations. The air traffic closure is part of the series of measures taken by the government to protect the UAE's population from the COVID-19 outbreak.
“We look forward to the resumption of the flights after the crisis abates,and to welcoming customers again to our shops soon.”
Emirates Airlines, flydubai and Etihad Airways have all suspended operations during this time.
The government’s decision to close airports to international passenger traffic, and to close for this time period, is subject to reassessment.
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