Dubai Airports press release: Eugene Barry appointed VP, Commercial

Dubai, UAE - Jan 4, 2010 – As part of its strategy to offer seamless customer experience across the facility and boost non-aeronautical revenue at Dubai International and Dubai World Central-Al Maktoum International, Dubai Airports recently announced the appointment of Eugene Barry as the Vice President, Commercial, with an expanded role encompassing the entire commercial portfolio, combining both the retail services and property departments.

Barry has been with Dubai Airports as Vice President of Retail since August 2009, and is also Dubai Airports’ nominated member on the Board of Emirates Flight Catering.

In his new role as Vice President, Commercial, Barry is responsible for optimising and delivering Dubai Airport’s non-aeronautical revenue, which includes airport retail services, food and beverage, advertising concession, hotels and lounges, car parks, property portfolio, and managing key stakeholder relationships.

Prior to joining Dubai Airports in August 2009, Barry was Vice President for DFS Retail Operations in the Middle East, and was responsible for establishing and managing DFS’s duty-free operation at Abu Dhabi International Airport.

Associated with the travel-retail industry since 1994 Eugene started in airport operations with Aer Rianta Cork Airport in Ireland, and moved to the Middle East in 1996 as Business Development Manager for Aer Rianta International. He joined Dubai Duty Free as Commercial Development Manager in 2000 and in 2006 he moved to Dufry taking on the role of General Manager for Sharjah Duty Free. He was subsequently promoted to Deputy Chief Operating Officer for Dufry in the Middle East region.