Colm McLoughlin, who led the launch of Dubai Duty Free (DDF), passed away on Wednesday in the UK. DDF confirmed the sad news on Thursday. He was 81 years old.
McLoughlin was part of the original consulting team from Aer Rianta, the Irish Airport Authority, hired by the Dubai Government to start the new duty-free operation in 1983.
He retired in May this year as the executive vice chairman and CEO of DDF after 55 years in the travel retail business.