You can now pay with Indian rupee at all stores in Dubai's airports

Last year, 12 million people flew from Dubai's airports to India

Indian rupees will now be accepted at all stores in all Dubai airports. Photo: Supplied 

The Indian rupee is now a currency accepted at retail outlets in all of Dubai's airports, according to an announcement by Dubai Duty Free.

Travellers to and from India are a key customer for Dubai's airports. Last year, of the 90 million passengers who used Dubai's airports, 12 million of them travelled to or from Indian destinations.

Dubai Duty Free started accepting the Indian rupee from July 1, and the currency will be accepted at all point of sales in Terminal 1, 2, 3 of Dubai International, as well as at Al Maktoum International airport.

One important thing to note, however, is that change will be given back to customers in UAE dirhams, not rupees (meaning you'll want to spend your change if you're just transiting).

Those who purchase things in Euros, pounds or US dollars will be able to receive change in those same currencies, however.

Stores will accept notes of various denominations, including 100s, 200s, 2000s and 500s (but only the new 500 notes). The move makes the Indian rupee the 16th international currency to be accepted at Dubai's airports.

"The sales to passengers travelling to India is also a significant portion of Dubai Duty Free’s business and it contributes to nearly 11% of our total business," said Ramesh Cidambi, COO of Dubai Duty Free. "Our view is that the facility to make payment in Indian Rupee is another convenient option for our Indian passengers."

Dubai Duty Free shared this photo with The National, indicating these notes as the ones they will accept:

These out-of-circulation notes won't be accepted: