snoop1130 Posted March 23, 2017 Share Posted March 23, 2017 Dubai Duty Free expects $2 million sales hit from electronics ban DUBAI (Reuters) - Dubai International Airport's duty free operator estimates that it will lose about $2 million (1.60 million pounds) in sales this year from the ban on carrying most electronic devices on United States-bound flights, a senior executive said on Thursday. Under new security measures announced this week, electronics larger than a mobile phone will be banned from passenger cabins on direct flights to the United States from airports in eight Muslim-majority nations, including the United Arab Emirates, starting Saturday. "We estimate that the ban will cost us around $2 million in revenue for the year," Dubai Duty Free's Chief Operating Officer Ramesh Cidambi told Reuters in an emailed statement. The estimate is based on sales of electronics to U.S.-bound passengers, excluding mobile phones and accessories, for 2016 and if the ban runs until the end of the year. U.S. officials have said the ban is indefinite. Dubai Duty Free made $1.85 billion in total sales last year, Cidambi said. The chief executive of Dubai Airports, Paul Griffiths, had earlier told DubaiEye radio that the ban on electronics covers goods sold in the airport, including duty free stores. The regulations, prompted by reports that militant groups want to smuggle explosive devices in electronic gadgets, state that electronics larger than a mobile phone -- including laptops and tablets -- must be stowed with checked baggage on U.S.-bound passenger flights. Emirates [EMIRA.UL], the only airline operating direct flights to the United States from Dubai, will allow passengers to hand over electronic devices at boarding to minimise disruption, President Tim Clark told Reuters on Wednesday. However, analysts warn that travellers, especially those who want to use laptops to work during flights, could switch to airlines and airports not affected by the new regulations. Griffiths said he does not expect a significant impact to Dubai airport's passenger numbers, while Clark said that Emirates will monitor the commercial impact. Britain followed the United States by introducing a similar ban on Tuesday, though the UK restrictions do not include the UAE. (Reporting by Alexander Cornwell; Editing by David Goodman) -- © Copyright Reuters 2017-3-23 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Upnotover Posted March 23, 2017 Share Posted March 23, 2017 2 hours ago, snoop1130 said: Britain followed the United States by introducing a similar ban on Tuesday, though the UK restrictions do not include the UAE. So it is nothing to do with this "story". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andaman Al Posted March 23, 2017 Share Posted March 23, 2017 25 minutes ago, Upnotover said: So it is nothing to do with this "story". No, the Brits see it as a perfect opportunity for protectionism for British Airways. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacko45k Posted March 24, 2017 Share Posted March 24, 2017 Along with the liquids ban duty free is struggling. Or is it perhaps more to do with massive mark-ups and the fact that most items can be bought cheaper at Tesco when you get there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Dwyer Posted March 24, 2017 Share Posted March 24, 2017 " However, analysts warn that travellers, especially those who want to use laptops to work during flights, could switch to airlines and airports not affected by the new regulations. "Yeah ! , if you don't like it go somewhere else !!As easy as that ? [emoji51] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RuamRudy Posted March 24, 2017 Share Posted March 24, 2017 (edited) 1 hour ago, jacko45k said: Along with the liquids ban duty free is struggling. Or is it perhaps more to do with massive mark-ups and the fact that most items can be bought cheaper at Tesco when you get there. Is the liquid ban a big issue, what with sealed bags now used as standard? I know that there are some restrictions in some locations re: transferring flights, but those seem to be the exception. Maybe we will see the same solution for electronics. I agree with you about the prices - I have never found Dubai Duty Free to be a bargain; quite the opposite, in fact. There is something that seems to change one's perception in airports, and suddenly £10 for a stale sandwich and a cup of coffee seems reasonable. Edited March 24, 2017 by RuamRudy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacko45k Posted March 24, 2017 Share Posted March 24, 2017 4 hours ago, RuamRudy said: Is the liquid ban a big issue, what with sealed bags now used as standard? I know that there are some restrictions in some locations re: transferring flights, but those seem to be the exception. Maybe we will see the same solution for electronics. I agree with you about the prices - I have never found Dubai Duty Free to be a bargain; quite the opposite, in fact. There is something that seems to change one's perception in airports, and suddenly £10 for a stale sandwich and a cup of coffee seems reasonable. It depends on my routing, but I have no direct flights to and from BKK. Amsterdam will take it off you sealed bag or not. And no duty free can be bought there for UK. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emilymat Posted March 24, 2017 Share Posted March 24, 2017 Poor buggers. According to the figures in the article the 'loss' equates to about 0.002 % of revenue - just a rough figure worked out in my head Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thaibeachlovers Posted March 25, 2017 Share Posted March 25, 2017 Does anyone care about Dubai losing money? This is a country that exploited workers from poor countries to build it's temple to mammon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stander Posted March 25, 2017 Share Posted March 25, 2017 Dubai Airport Implements U.S. Electronics Ban Airport is world’s busiest for international traffic; ‘disruptive and operationally challenging’ https://www.wsj.com/articles/dubai-airport-implements-u-s-electronics-ban-1490426972?mod=e2tw Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnC Posted March 30, 2017 Share Posted March 30, 2017 How does Dubai compare with Swampy on DF tobacco prices? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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