Abu Dhabi Duty Free, which operates outlets in the UAE's Abu Dhabi International Airport, has achieved sales worth Dh487.9 million ($132.82 million) in the first half of the year, which represents a rise of 11.5 per cent compared to Dh437.6 million ($119.13 million) in the same period last year.

The total number of transactions during the period was just over two million, 12.8 per cent higher than the first half of last year, said Abu Dhabi Airports.

The results came after a number of retail outlets opened in the new Terminal 3 bus gate during the first half of the year, including two new multi category Duty Free stores.

Abu Dhabi Airports’ chief commercial officer Mohammed Al Bulooki said: "The continuing improvements and additions of new retail outlets at Abu Dhabi International Airport are clearly making their mark on the company’s commercial revenues.

"Passengers here benefit from a wide array of shopping, food and beverages, and entertainment services made available. It is very important to us that our customers are given the widest possible choice of activities when visiting the airport, and with passenger numbers increasing month by month, fulfilling these requirements becomes even more pressing."