Ukraine International Airlines (UIA) in partnership with Duty Free Americas (DFA) has launched its pre-order duty free platform on all international flights, effective 16 August 2019.

As reported, DFA announced a ‘strategic collaboration’ to launch the inflight duty free programme on UIA back in April.

A launch event marking the commencement of the programme took place in June at Kiev Boryspil International Airport. The event was attended by around 50 people, including senior officials from the airline and DFA. TRBusiness was the sole travel retail media in attendance.

TRAVELLERS TO ENJOY ‘CURATED COLLECTION’

A pilot flight from Kiev Boryspil to New York on June 12 enabled passengers to purchase products from the trolley. This preceded the wider roll-out of the traditional duty free trolley across the entire UIA network and launch of the pre-order service.

A source close to the airline told TRBusiness, that the carrier will begin sending passengers a link to the online duty free store along with their boarding pass by the end of the week. This will be delivered by e-mail or through other software such as Viber.

Travellers will then have access to a curated collection of fragrances, elite spirits and wines, fashion accessories, electronics, special souvenirs and travel essentials before their flights. All goods pre-ordered online will be delivered on board.

A statement on the airline’s Facebook page said: “Effective 16 August, UIA and Duty Free Americas offer passengers travelling on international flights the chance to pre-order duty free items via the online duty free shop and get them delivered directly on board.

“All one needs to do is select goods and add them to the cart. Orders must be placed 24 hours prior to scheduled departure. Travellers must then print the confirmation and wait for orders to be be delivered to their seat.”

The statement confirms that no pre-payment is necessary and that goods are paid for on board by cash or credit card. Should any passenger decide not to proceed with a purchase, they can change their mind without any issue.

The statement concluded: “The service will be useful in case a passenger encounters restrictions on carry-on-bags. There is no need to hide goods purchased at duty free shops in suitcases/back-packs or stop purchasing duty free products.”

TRBusiness has reached out to UIA and DFA for further comment and will update this story in due course.