Former Dubai Duty Free chief Colm McLoughlin passes away

Dubai: Colm McLoughlin, the visionary force behind Dubai Duty Free, passed away on Wednesday, DDF confirmed to Gulf News. He was 81.

McLoughlin’s impact on Dubai Duty Free spanned over four decades. He steered its growth from modest beginnings to a business generating over $2.16 billion in 2023. He stepped down from his position as Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of Dubai Duty Free in May this year.

His contributions to the UAE’s travel retail industry were transformative. He grew Dubai Duty Free into the world’s largest single airport retailer.
McLoughlin was part of a 10-member consultancy team from Aer Rianta, the Irish Airport Authority, which the Dubai Government contracted to launch the new duty-free operation in 1983.
He landed for the first time in Dubai on July 15, 1983, a day before his 40th birthday. Upon landing, he realised his luggage had yet to arrive. “The first thing I had to do was shop for clothes. So, I headed to Al Ghurair Mall. The mall was closed between 1 and 4 pm, which I was unaware of. So, I waited outside the mall for two hours, and the heat surprised me. Even when I stepped onto the balcony of my hotel room without footwear, it was as if my feet would burn. We were right in the middle of the summer,” he said in an earlier interview.

McLoughlin combined hard work and humility to expand Dubai Duty Free beyond its retail operation and into leisure. Today, Duty-Free employs over 5,000 people.It operates a Leisure Division that includes The Irish Village in Garhoud, Studio One Hotel, The Century Village, the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium, and The Jumeirah Creekside Hotel.
“Wherever you are in life, do not lose touch with reality. The staff you work with should always be treated equally. Compassion is so important. Recognising the team’s efforts even more. This is what makes a true leader,” McLoughlin said – words that continue to be treasured by DDF staff even today.