It’s not a story we would normally run, but we loved the images so much we just had to… Heathrow Airport today announced that 16-time champion jockey AP McCoy had swapped his horse for a ride-on suitcase to compete in the first-ever ‘Trunki’ race at Heathrow to launch the airport’s programme of summer activities.
Airports
The land of the Arrivals duty free phenomenon
I’ve arrived in Manila, home to the world’s most important duty free Arrivals shopping business. From the moment you enter Ninoy Aquino International Airport, the signage for Duty Free Philippines’s (DFP) Fiesta Shopping Mall is everywhere. The legions of Balikbayans (overseas-based Filipinos) and OFWs (overseas foreign workers) who pour through this airport every year represent
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Airports
Catching up in Qatar
I’m on the road again, this time bound for Manila to meet Duty Free Philippines. I flew with Qatar Airways via Doha and was impressed by the experience. Fantastically friendly service onboard, a great choice of inflight entertainment – and one of the best duty free shopping magazines I’ve seen in a long time. Weary
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Airports
Arriving in style at Geneva Airport
The introduction of Arrivals duty free shops at Swiss airports – legislation permitting the concept came into effect on 1 June – is set to have a profound impact on intra-airport shopping dynamics in Europe, and possibly beyond. Not only will Swiss airports such as Geneva, Zῢrich and Basel benefit from much-enhanced revenues (remember European
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Airports
Making travel wonderful again
For me, Caviar House & Prunier has redefined the airport food & beverage experience. Every time, and I mean every time, I visit one of the company’s outlets I enjoy the occasion, not only the product but also watching the relaxing effect that the environment has on fellow passengers. My experience at the company’s Heathrow
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Airports
Memories are made of this
Changi Airport Terminal 1 may be in for a major makeover, but the existing facility is still pretty impressive by world standards. I made a fleeting visit through T1 recently. Yes it’s looking a little dated but it’s still ultra-efficient and there’s no doubting the diversity and richness of the shopping (especially) and food &
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Airports
Terminal (but not interminable) waiting at Heathrow T5
It’s just like old times. Sipping a glass of good Sauvignon Blanc in the British Airways lounge while I wait for my delayed flight to Asia. As a result of my recent illness, it’s many months since I travelled through Heathrow Terminal 5 and I’d forgotten just what a pleasant and efficient place this has
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Airports
Olympian effort required at London Heathrow
The countdown to the London Summer Olympics of 2012 continues and the city is accelerating its preparations for the big event. With millions of visitors expected to pour into the capital I hope that WDF is planning a radical overhaul of its arrivals shops at London Heathrow Airport. I’ve always considered these among the drabbest
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Airports
Geneva Airport turns on the style
Wow, what a change at Geneva Airport since I was last through there a few years back. I passed through the Swiss gateway last week on a brief business visit and was impressed by the commercial transformation, particularly in duty free, watches and specialist retail. Under the leadership of Commercial Director Pierre Germain, the airport
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Airports
Every picture tells a (Vuitton) story
The new Louis Vuitton store at Incheon International Airport (the world’s first airport Vuitton store) is going to be a spectacular place, according to The Moodie Report’s John Rimmer who travelled through Incheon this morning. The store, run by The Shilla Duty Free, will open in September and is expected to generate annual sales of around
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Airports
Theatre of the absurd
You ain’t seen nothin’ yet B-B-B-Baby, you just ain’t seen nothin’ yet Here’s something that you never gonna forget B-B-B-Baby, you just ain’t seen nothin’ yet – You ain’t seen nothin’ yet, Bachman Turner Overdrive ‘Airports braced for check-in chaos as EU plans to lift liquids ban’ ran the headline this week in the online
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Airports
Threatened duty free seizures lead to uproar
First there was road rage, then air rage, now it appears duty free rage has been born. And given the variance in LAGs regulations around the world – and the interpretation of them – should we be surprised? According to today’s Manchester Evening News, a near riot occurred after ‘around 100’ travellers faced the seizure of
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Airports
The dancing of the Northern Lights
“People always ask me how do you drink Scotch? I reply, ‘You’re either left handed or right handed’.” Meet Willie Tait, Master Distiller and Isle of Jura Ambassador at the Whyte & Mackay owned malt whisky maker. Willie was on hand at London Heathrow Terminal 5 this week as part of the airport company’s excellent