Videos of the Year IV

Inside a modern wonder of the aviation world

As our on location video and photos from November confirm (see also Images of the Year), Abu Dhabi International Airport Terminal A is an architectural and design masterpiece.

The scale, the spectacle and the beauty of the terminal building dazzle. Departing passengers are immersed into a towering 50-metre space rendered largely column-free through the use of huge leaning arches, separated from the roof to lend an open, outdoor quality and allowing light to flood into the space.

It offers a spectacular fusion of state of the art technology and a soaring 22-metre high, 17-metre wide public art feature called the Sana Al Nour that anchors the terminal.

Terminal A delivers a powerfully evocative Sense Place in its architecture, art and commercial offer, the last-named a shopping and dining extravaganza curated to offer something for everyone within the airport’s diverse passenger profile.

The Moodie Davitt Report Founder & Chairman Martin Moodie visited the terminal last month both on a guided basis and separately as an unencumbered passenger. Look out for his series of articles with key stakeholders, including Abu Dhabi Airports leadership and management, concessionaires and designers over coming days and weeks.

These will culminate in an exclusive eZine post the 9 February 2024 official inauguration, designed to capture the enthralling narrative of this extraordinary project.

Click here for more images and comment on this new wonder of the aviation world.

Honouring Duty Zero by cdf’s landmark opening in Siem Reap

China Duty Free Group (CDFG) recently released video footage of the Grand Opening of the Duty Zero by cdf store at Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport, which opened on 16 October. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet was on hand to attend the auspicious occasion.

“This store signifies the strategic advancement of CDFG in the global market,” the world’s number one travel retailer* said.

“As the latest example of overseas cooperation among state-owned enterprises, it showcases CDFG’s active expansion in foreign markets and its driving of business globalisation under the leadership of China Tourism Group (CTG). This is an important milestone in the development of CDFG’s overseas duty free business.”

Dubai Duty Free jump starts its 40th anniversary celebrations

Who said the sky is the limit? Not Dubai Duty Free certainly as the travel retailer proved when literally jump starting its milestone 40th anniversary celebrations.

The festivities reached new heights in early December via a branded skydive at Skydive Dubai in Mina Seyahi. To mark four decades of high-flying success, a professional skydiver from Skydive Dubai ascended to 5,500 feet above Skydive Dubai Palm Dropzone and jumped at 60mph through the air.

Fitted with a red 3×5-metre banner bearing Dubai Duty Free’s 40th Anniversary logo and the line ‘Celebrating 40 years of retailing service’, the skydiver sailed over 80 assembled Dubai Duty Free employees, headed by Dubai Duty Free Joint COO Salah Tahlak. Click on the video for highlights and watch out for much more coverage of the 40th anniversary celebrations across our platforms.

Kansai’s breathtaking beauty offer

The Moodie Davitt Report was on location on 5 December for the opening of Kansai International Airport Terminal 1’s impressive and beautifully atmospheric new airside departures area. The expansive commercial offer is anchored by a 2,500sq m KIX Duty Free walk-through store, spanning all of the major product categories. This video shot by Martin Moodie shows the breadth of the beauty offer.

Further video and images can be found at this link.