Gulf airlines and retailers vie for space in Dallas airport

Etihad and Qatar Airways followed in Emirates’ footsteps to add flights to Dallas last year, making it the latest US market in which all three carriers compete.

Dubai — The Gulf’s three biggest airlines, Emirates, Etihad and Qatar Airways, have set their sights on the world’s largest aviation market; figures collated at the start of the year indicate the three airlines boosted flights to the US by 47 per cent in 2014.

Etihad and Qatar Airways followed in Emirates’ footsteps to add flights to Dallas last year, making it the latest US market in which all three carriers compete.

Meanwhile, the Dallas/Fort Worth International airport saw the Emirates A380 land for the first time in Dallas in October last year, marking an 83 per cent increase in capacity on the DFW to Dubai route. In a move to further encourage international air travel to and from the region, the DFW Airport is inviting high-end retailers, restaurateurs and service providers to set up shop at its International Terminal D.

“Our Terminal D concessions programme has received numerous awards through the years,” said Ken Buchanan, executive vice president of revenue management of the airport. “Now, we are seeking to enhance our customer experience even more with new concepts that can help DFW compete on a global scale.”

The bid for space for more than 30 concession units — mostly in the airport’s international Terminal D, but including a few spaces in DFW’s domestic terminals B and E — is now open to a variety of concession outlets, with DFW Airport recently issuing a request for proposals (RFP).

At the close of last year, DFW Airport set a record for annual passenger traffic by hosting 62.9 million passengers through the year, and increased its international service by adding 18 new non-stop destinations since 2011.

This makes it the third busiest airport in the world for aircraft movements and the ninth busiest in the world for total passengers, two spots behind Dubai International Airport. Earlier in 2014, DFW became one of 20 airports worldwide to accommodate the Airbus A380.

With these customers in mind, DFW developed a new concessions master plan for Terminal D, to further its concessional sales. The RFP calls for duty free, consumer electronics, news, coffee, convenience, spa, candy, premium retail and international and domestic teas to be offered in Terminal D.

Food and beverage opportunities include a Mediterranean grill, sports bar, snack bar, deli, upscale Italian eatery, signature bar, pub, high-end bistro and wine bar.

Buchanan said. “Our international expansion has added to the number of passengers travelling through DFW Airport every day. We’re looking forward to receiving proposals from the world’s top duty-free shops, restaurants and retailers and to offering our customers new and exciting choices for eating, shopping and relaxation.”