The situation regarding duty free goods, particularly perfumes and alcohol, is currently very confused. In the UK and USA, where passengers are prohibited from bringing and liquid or gel articles on board, the current situation is resulting in thousands of lost sales each day. Industry sources confirm that about one-third of duty-free sales are liquid, including $US 3.2 billion of sales in women’s fragrances and revenues from wine, beer and spirits, adding up to $US 4.75 billion.The CEO of the largest U.S. duty-free operator says the Transportation Security Administration is preventing his stores from selling any liquids at all, and that liquor and fragrances comprise three-quarters of his business.
A number of airports allow duty free purchases of perfumes and alcohol at the entry point, and this may possibly offer an alternative for those travelers hoping to carry some duty free goods in with them. More news as it becomes available!
Posted by John Kumm, www.onlinetravelconsultant.com
It was announced late last week that the ban on US-bound travellers from the UK purchasing liquids in duty-free was being eased. These purchases can again be made but will not be handed to the passenger until he or she is about to board the aircraft.