Online platform ready to recover lost Malaysia Airports retail earnings

Malaysia Airports Holdings has launched a travel retail e-commerce platform shopMYairports, aiming to recover some US$67 million from sales lost through its airport network due to passenger volumes plummeting.

Still smarting from the loss of $671 million in revenues from retail in the year prior to the advent of Covid-19, the airport operator is hoping for significant potential growth from the initiative, which is part of a broader Airports 4.0 plan for digital transformation to enhance passenger retail experiences and support the recovery of its airport retail tenants.

The move serves to allow consumers to buy travel-exclusive and duty-absorbed products online, having purchases delivered directly to their homes.

“The launch of shopMYairports is an important step in our journey to make our airports future-ready,” said group CEO Datuk Mohd Shukrie Mohd Salleh.

“As Malaysia’s main airport operator, we have to ensure that we remain agile and relevant while navigating within a fast-changing consumer landscape.”

Future services available on the platform are expected to include click-and-collect services, allowing travelers to pick up purchases at designated airport counters, and concierge services to deliver products to passengers’ boarding gate or aircraft seat.