Colm McLoughlin, a driving force behind Dubai Duty Free (DDF), passed away on Wednesday at 81, DDF confirmed in a Gulf News report. McLoughlin, who passed in the UK after a brief illness, had led DDF since its inception in 1983 until his retirement in May.
An Irish native, McLoughlin transformed DDF from a small operation to a $2.16 billion enterprise by 2023, creating one of the largest airport retail operations globally. Ramesh Cidambi, Managing Director of DDF, expressed his condolences, highlighting McLoughlin’s contributions to the travel retail industry and his lasting impact on Dubai’s airport business.
McLoughlin’s early years in Dubai were marked by hard work and adaptation to a new environment. He arrived in Dubai on July 15, 1983, initially as part of a six-month consultancy from Aer Rianta, the Irish Airport Authority, but he stayed for four decades, guiding DDF to remarkable success.
Beyond retail, McLoughlin expanded DDF’s presence into leisure, including The Irish Village and the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium. In 2004, he established the Dubai Duty Free Foundation, which has supported numerous charities worldwide.
McLoughlin will be remembered for his leadership, kindness, and dedication to his team. “Compassion and equal treatment of staff are what make a true leader,” he once said—a principle that resonates with DDF employees today.
