ACI EUROPE & ETRC call for review of Arrivals Duty and Tax Free shopping at EU airports

An independent report commissioned by ETRC from York Aviation has outlined the potential economic benefit achievable through the introduction of arrivals Duty and Tax Free shopping at EU airports.

Based on 2019 traffic figures, the analysis found that duty and tax free arrival shops would have generated around €4.3 billion in Gross Value Added (GVA), supported 41,500 jobs and generated €1.6 billion in tax revenues. These significant benefits are achievable by realising a commercial opportunity that remains entirely untapped, the report estimates that arrivals duty and tax free sales could make up 20-30 per cent of total travel retail sales at EU airports. Furthermore, as the UK is scheduled to leave the EU on 1 January 2021, the numbers of non-EU passengers will increase substantially, and many smaller airports would see the benefits from arrivals Duty Free. Recognising the impact of COVID-19 on air traffic, the report draws the conclusion of an initial impact per million passenger of around €1.3 billion in GVA, 12,100 jobs and €475 million in tax revenues, rising to €3.5 billion in GVA, 33,700 jobs and €1.3 billion in tax revenues.

Arrivals duty and tax free shops are commonplace in most airports around the world, including all EEA countries (Norway, Iceland & Switzerland) where it is very popular with arriving passengers. But under current EU legislation, duty and tax free sales are only allowed to passengers ‘leaving’ the European Union.

Allowing Duty and Tax Free shopping on arrival for passengers travelling from third countries to the EU will restore competition for EU airports vis a vis their international counterparts, by creating much-needed revenue and supporting employment at EU airports at this crucial time.

Nigel Keal, ETRC President, said: “The introduction of EU Arrivals Duty and Tax Free shopping presents us with a great opportunity to renew the outdated approach to arrivals shopping in the EU. As allowances will remain the same, this proposal will simply give passengers another opportunity to avail of their duty & tax free allowance and to choose to support their local airport rather than buy abroad. Our members will be driving the biggest ever industry recovery effort in the coming years – allowing arrivals Duty and Tax Free will greatly facilitate this.”

Olivier Jankovec, ACI EUROPE Director General, said: “EU airports are currently facing the most difficult trading conditions in modern history and are urgently in need of government support. Given the unique role that airports play as economic gateways, it is imperative that all steps are taken to keep them open through these difficult times. EU airports are currently losing hundreds of millions of euros of potential commercial income to their non-EU counterparts each year. Arrivals duty and tax free will allow retail sales to be displaced from third countries back to the EU airport of arrival.”