Page 6 - IAADFS Summit of the Americas 2025 Special Issue

INSIDER

DFWC Q4 KPI Monitor: Asia Pacific air traffic returns to pre-Covid levels

International passenger departures in completes the top 3 in Q4 2024 with 10.4 over the period as both “suitability as
Asia Pacific have finally grown back to million international departures. Seoul a self-treat” and “to indulge myself” as
pre-Covid 2019 levels, according to the Incheon had 10 million international reasons to purchase in Duty Free both
Duty Free World Council’s KPI Monitor departures during the period, and increased by 1% between Q3 and Q4.
for the fourth quarter of 2024, produced by Amsterdam, 9.4 million. The other top ten While value for money remains the
m1nd-set. Asia Pacific reports 129 million airports for Q4 2024, from sixth to tenth leading purchase driver, the influence of
international departures in the October- position were Paris Charles De Gaulle (9.3 price has declined significantly in recent
December quarter, the same level it was at m), Frankfurt (8.1 m) Hong Kong (8.0 m), years. Dr. Peter Mohn, owner and CEO of
in 2019. Istanbul (7.4 m) and Bangkok (6.6 m). m1nd-set, explains: “We are witnessing a
Globally, international departures clear shift in shoppers’ perception of price
reached 515 million for the quarter, 110% Shopper behavior: key drivers to in Duty Free. Price advantage is becoming
of the 2019 levels, reports the DFWC Q4 purchase less of a determining factor, while the
Monitor. The key drivers to purchase remained in-store experience is becoming more
Air traffic in Europe was on a par stable between Q3 and Q4 2024, reports important.
with the global growth average at 110% the m1nd-set DFWC monitor. The leading “Over the past few years,” Mohn
compared to the same period in 2019, and purchase driver – “good value for money” continued “the percentage of global Duty
totaled 230 million passengers. North and – increased moderately in importance Free shoppers who view price advantage
South America both saw above-average among global shoppers, from 25% in Q3 as a key purchase driver has dropped
growth at 119% for the quarter, with North to 27% in Q4. Convenience as a purchase sharply from 30% to just 13%. In terms
America posting 57 million departures and driver dropped from 19% to 18% over the of net drivers, promotions and value for
South America 33 million. two quarters. Self-indulgence increased money now rank second at 44%, while
The leading region for Q4 2024 in
terms of traffic growth was the Middle East Editor/Publisher: Lois R. Pasternak
& Africa, at 121% compared to the same In Memoriam: Paul A. Pasternak
period in 2019 with 66 million international Executive Editor: Michael Pasternak
departures. Editorial Contributors: John Gallagher
Production Coordinator & Designer: Chris Hetzer
Rankings Design and Production: It’s About Time, Inc.
Webmaster: Michael Pasternak
European airports dominate the top Printing by The Printer’s Printer. Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
ten rankings for international departures This publication is a special supplement of Travel Markets Insider, published
in Q4 2024 with five airports in the top by Pasternak Communications, Inc., 255 NE 3rd Ave No. 312, Delray Beach,
ten; Asia Pacific follows with four top ten FL. 33444 USA. www.travelmarketsinsider.net
E-mail: parsnip5@aol.com, editor@travelmarketsinsider.net
airports. Dubai leads the rankings with Tel (561) 908-2119
12.3 million passengers, followed closely Travel Markets Insider is a weekly newsletter distributed 50 times a year
by London Heathrow in second place with via e-mail, on a subscription basis only.
The annual subscription is US$200. Printed in the USA. All rights reserved.
12.1 million. Singapore Changi Airport © 2025 by Pasternak Communications, Inc.

Summit of the Americas March 2025 6