Zayed International Airport Retail Award: AUH Triumphs at Frontier Awards 2025
Zayed International Airport Retail Award: Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport retail award has landed AUH at the top of global airport retail rankings. At the Frontier Awards 2025, held during the TFWA World Exhibition & Conference in Cannes, Zayed International Airport was officially named the Best Airport for Retail, recognised for its design-forward spaces, strong brand partnerships, and immersive passenger retail experience.
Altitudes Magazine: Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport Wins World’s Best Airport for Retail.
What Led to the Zayed International Airport Retail Award Win
The Zayed International Airport retail award didn’t come by chance. Several key features distinguished AUH from its global peers:
- Ambitious Retail Concepts: AUH boasts over 163 retail and dining outlets spread across 37,500 sqm of space each designed with premium aesthetics, authentic UAE hospitality, and a mix of global luxury brands and unique local stores.
- “Presentedby – Avolta” Concept Store: One of the standouts was the “Presentedby” store with Avolta, combining high-design architecture with immersive retail experiences. It also won UK-based recognitions in interior design categories.
- Design-Forward Spaces & Passenger Experience: The terminal’s layout (opened in November 2023) supports seamless flows, luxury lounges, high quality materials, ambient lighting, and spaces that make shopping more than a convenience, it becomes part of the journey.
Why This Recognition Matters for AUH & Abu Dhabi
Winning the Zayed International Airport retail award has broader significance:
- Strengthens AUH’s Position Globally: It cements AUH not just as a transit hub but a destination for travelers seeking a premium retail experience.
- Boosts Tourism and Commercial Appeal: Luxury retail is a major draw for high-spending travelers. For Abu Dhabi, these awards help attract international brands, increasing economic activity and enhancing airport revenue streams.
- Validates Investment in Passenger Experience: From architectural excellence to thoughtful retail curation, the award shows that investments in quality infrastructure and experience are paying off. The airport is being recognised not only for its physical design but for how it treats the traveller.
Other Recent Accolades by Zayed International Airport
The Zayed International Airport retail award adds to a growing list of honours:
- AUH was recently named the World’s Most Beautiful Airport at Prix Versailles, recognising its architecture that harmonises culture, environment, and passenger comfort.
- The airport has also repeatedly been recognized as “Best Airport at Arrivals Globally” in the ASQ Awards for excellent arrival experience in recent years.
What Passengers Can Expect Now
Because of this Zayed International Airport retail award, travellers can expect:
- More immersive shopping experiences: pop-ups, interactive displays, curated local product offerings.
- Enhanced ambiance: cleaner, more elegant stores, better lighting, more comfortable waiting spaces.
- Elevated retail partnerships: premium brands will likely expand presence, and new specialty stores may be introduced.
- Focus on hospitality: more attention to service, welcome features, and passenger well-being.
Looking Ahead: AUH’s Retail Vision & Expansion
Winning the Zayed International Airport retail award is both a milestone and a stepping stone. Future plans likely include:
- Continued expansion of retail square meterage with new stores, specialty concepts, and local artisan brands.
- Further investment in experiential retail events, launches, curated collaborations.
- Using the award as leverage to attract new international luxury and high-design retailers.
- Enhancing digital and omni-channel retail experiences (click & collect, online-to-store) to match global trends in travel retail.
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