KFIA Director Yusef Al-Dahri talks to the media after opening the duty-free facility.

Yusef Al-Dahri, director of King Fahd International Airport (KFIA), opened the World Duty Free (WDF) shop at the airport.

This is the first such shopping facility in the Eastern Province.

“World Duty Free shopping at the airport will add great value to services for arriving, departing and transiting passengers,” Al-Dahri said, adding that the facility differs from the local market in terms of brands and products, and their prices.

Al-Dahri pointed out that it took time to open the airport facility because its procedures are different from those in the local market; the airport procedures have to be applied for international shoppers.

“We have more new projects under construction at the airport and we look forward to develop the services in order to meet the expectations of passengers,” Al-Dahri added. “Duty-free pricing at the KFIA calls for monitoring of international duty-free procedures.”

Speaking to Arab News, Ignacio Salcedo, head of international operations, Middle East and Asia, said: “We operate in three countries in the Middle East. Our Saudi operations are in Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam.” Salcedo confirmed that the prices of products at the KFIA duty-free will be competitive — 20 percent lower than in the local market.

Irshad A. Cader, executive director at Al-Musbah group, said the KFIA WDF covers an area of 1,000 square meters. “The total duty-free area at the three airports in the Kingdom is 6,500 square meters. We hope the passengers will enjoy the airport shopping facilities and benefit from low prices. However, we welcome any suggestions, inquiries and complaints.”

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