Falic Group has announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire 100% of DFS’s luxury travel retail business at Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi. The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter, subject to customary closing conditions.
Operating under the Duty Free Americas brand, the Falic Group’s travel retail business is the largest in the Americas and is a leading operator worldwide.
The agreement will provide Duty Free Americas with an immediate, scaled presence in one of the Middle East’s fastest-growing travel retail markets, accelerating its luxury retail and regional growth strategy, establishing a strong platform for future expansion in the Middle East and Africa.
“The acquisition of the luxury travel retail concessions at Abu Dhabi Airports marks a key milestone in our Middle East growth strategy and further expands our airport footprint and luxury retail presence,” commented Leon Falic, President of Falic Group.
“We are delighted to partner with one of the most prestigious airports globally and we warmly welcome the airport, brands, and customer partners to our DFA family as we begin this new chapter together. Duty Free Americas and Abu Dhabi Airports share an ambitious vision to further develop and elevate the luxury travel retail offering together. Plans include the incorporation of new flagship brands and expanded footprints for existing top-performers, as well as innovative open-air retail areas which will promote a more flexible passenger experience and drive conversion.”
Carsten Nørland, Chief Commercial Officer of Abu Dhabi Airports, said: “This agreement marks a deliberate step forward in enhancing the award-winning commercial ecosystem at Zayed International Airport. DFA brings global travel retail expertise that will help us deliver a more dynamic and value-driven retail environment, aligned with the evolving expectations of our passengers and our long-term commercial ambitions.”
The luxury travel retail concessions being transferred to Duty Free Americas include around 30 stores, including luxury and contemporary fashion, watches and jewelry, and sunglasses.
Zayed International Airport welcomed more than 32 million passengers in 2025 and features 163 retail, leisure, dining and hospitality outlets across 36,000 sqm of commercial space. It was also recognized as ‘Best Airport for Retail’ at the 2025 DFNI Frontier Awards in Cannes.
