Airport lounges still have a long way to go

Air travel may have become considerably easier in India, but airport lounges still leave a lot to be desired. Often, there is no space to stretch out for a nap or have a shower -- and anyway, who do you leave the luggage with?

Some airlines, of course, do provide facilities to their premium customers, but that is largely limited to F&B. A truly-international lounge, the kind at Heathrow or Singapore or Hong Kong, is just not there.

But with Hong Kong-based Premium Plaza Lounge entering into an agreement, last month, to maintain and manage the 15,000 sqft lounge at the new Hyderabad International Airport, due to open next year, harried international passengers may finally have something to look forward to.

A pay-in facility, the lounge will provide all "basic facilities", says an official of GMR Hyderabad International Airport Limited. For example, there will be rest areas for a quick nap, showers, massage parlours and salons, internet facilities.

Other conveniences being contemplated are limousine services, tie-ups with hotels for pick-up or drop of luggage so pressed-for-time business travellers can drive straight to work. A business centre in the landside area is also being envisaged.

With more and more high-end international travellers coming in, now that India is becoming a major business destination, and a number of new airports being built and existing ones refurbished and expanded, a number of hospitality majors, both domestic and international, are eyeing lounge management space in India.

Premium Plaza beat competition from a number of established 5-star chains and one international player to bag the Hyderabad project.

Airports and aircraft too are looking to provide better lounges to hold the travellers. For example, the greenfield airport in Bangalore, which tied-up with travel and F&B concessionaires last year, is considering similar tie-ups in lounge management, say company officials. The new Hyderabad airport is not the only one paying attention anew to lounges and other recreational details.

Sadly, Mumbai and Delhi will have to wait a while for such swish new lounges. After all, it is easier to come up with a new lounge at a brand new airport than remodel the layout at an existing airport to fit one in.