Hamad Airport Expands with New Shops
Hamad International Airport has just added more retail shops, enhancing the shopping experience for travelers.
Qatar Airways Group Achieves Record Profits
This week, Qatar Airways Group announced its strongest financial results in history. The airline’s retail subsidiary, Qatar Duty Free (QDF), played a significant role in this success.
The airline, based at Hamad International Airport in Doha, reported a record profit of $2.15 billion (QAR 7.85 billion), marking a 28% increase from $1.7 billion the previous year.
Despite only a 6.3% revenue increase to $23.5 billion (QAR 85.64 billion) over the past 12 months, the profit growth highlights the airline’s effective partnerships, route planning, in-flight services, and agility amid geopolitical and economic challenges.
Major Aircraft Orders and Strategic Moves
Recently, Qatar Airways signed a large order of up to 210 Boeing jets during Donald Trump’s visit to Qatar. This move boosts Boeing, which has faced safety and production issues.
Growth in Retail and Food Services at Hamad
Qatar Airways owns QDF, which operates the entire over 430,000 sq ft retail space at Hamad Airport. Over the past year, QDF’s sales increased by 12%, with more than 15 million transactions across 200+ outlets.
However, the 12% growth is lower than the 18% reported earlier this year for the full calendar year of 2024. This indicates a slight slowdown in sales during the first quarter of 2025, which is also the retailer’s 25th anniversary.
Visit Hamad Airport and Explore the New Shops!
Come and experience the expanded Hamad Airport with its new shops and amenities. And when planning your next trip, consider booking your vacation with MWR LIFE for exclusive travel deals and unforgettable experiences.
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How Qatar Airways Benefits From Duty-Free
For FY25, Qatar Airways broke out its duty-free goods and beverages revenue, which reached $977.2 million (QAR3.56 billion). All of it is likely to be derived from QDF, but the retailer did not confirm this at the time of writing.
This year, there is an extra level of activity in terms of stores opening in the newly inaugurated concourses D and E, adding to A, B and C, plus high-profile 25th anniversary activity, which included two weekends in May when there was 25% off on almost everything.
Revenue is therefore expected to soar and Thabet Musleh, Qatar Airways’ chief retail and hospitality officer told me that this year he would be upping the experience level at Doha’s Hamad Airport “and leading with concepts that no other airports have deployed,” an example being the existing Dior Luxury Beauty Retreat, the world’s largest and the first in an airport. (A detailed interview with Mr. Musleh will appear soon.)
Luxury at Hamad: Inside the Dior Spa
Experience luxury at Hamad International Airport with the stunning double-height Dior Spa. It offers travelers a relaxing and exclusive experience right before their flight.
Qatar Airways Values Retail and F&B
Qatar Airways Group CEO, Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, praises Qatar Duty Free (QDF) as the «heartbeat» of passenger operations. This rare acknowledgment highlights how shopping and food services are vital to the airline’s overall success.
Exciting Future Plans
QDF has ambitious plans, including innovative projects and campaigns. They’ve partnered with Formula 1, showcasing F1 car displays, racing simulators, and race-themed dining to excite travelers.
They’ve also featured luxury brands such as Chanel with its Winter Tale collection and Yves Saint Laurent with Summer Mirage.
Celebrating 25 Years of Retail Excellence
In honor of QDF’s 25th anniversary, the company is launching at least 25 new retail and F&B concepts this year. Meanwhile, Qatar Airways is expanding its service network to Toronto and São Paulo starting in June.
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