The Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC) is currently engaged in a due diligence process to assess the business viability of creating a downtown duty free shop in partnership with DFS Group – Abu Dhabi International Airport's

current duty free operator.

Asked whether he was able to comment on whether this was being considered by ADAC, Dan Cappell the airport company's Vice President Non-Aeronautical Revenue/Business Development commented: ‘Part of ADAC's brief is to look at new business development and opportunities and a downtown offer is potentially a new opportunity.

‘In order to assess whether that is viable you have to go through a due diligence process.

‘An assessment will then have to be made as to whether or not it is a viable option – including all sorts of discussions with our partners. Then we will see. It is not an immediate burning hole, but at the same time it is something that we are looking at actively developing as a new business opportunity.’

Cappell said he was not in a position to discuss any more details since these are all under examination, but he confirmed that ADAC might be in a position to talk about the matter further in the first half of next year.

If ADAC does decide to go ahead then this would be the first major downtown duty free outlet to be opened in the Middle East region and The Business believes it could have great sales potential in any partnership with DFS Group.