Aer Rianta International, Middle East (ARIME) has reported a turnover of $250 million this year.
ARIME - the duty free operator which has business interests in Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Beirut and Muscat - is celebrating its 10th anniversary, although the subsidiary of Aer Rianta, the Irish state-owned Airports Authority, has been in the region for 20 years.
ARIME's flagship operation in Bahrain Duty Free recently received a 25 year extension to its concession from the Civil Aviation Authority at Bahrain International Airport, where it is currently redeveloping it arrivals shop to double available retail space to more than 250 square metres.
ARIME has seen dramatic increases in turnover particularly in Beirut and Qatar. At Qatar Duty Free sales rose by 40 per cent in the last year at Doha International Airport. This increase in sales has been fuelled by the dramatic increase in passengers at Doha International Airport, particularly those carried by Qatar Airways.
"We are delighted with the performance of Qatar Duty Free, where we are seeing dramatic growth coupled with the growth of Qatar Airways. Passenger numbers are increasing significantly, the market is beginning to mature and it can only get better," said John Sutcliffe, ARIME's Managing Director.
Aer Rianta International operates across Europe and North America including New York's JFK, Montreal, Moscow, Dusseldorf and Birmingham.
© Bahrain Tribune 2003
