ETW Staff– Mumbai
GVK Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport’s (CSIA) Terminal T2 opened its all new Luxury Lounge for first / business class travellers. The ‘GVK Lounge’ was inaugurated by Dr GVK Reddy, founder, chairman and managing director, GVK. This is the first ever common Luxury Lounge in the country, unlike other global and Indian airports, which usually have different first/ business class lounges for different airlines. Spread across an area of 30,000 sq. ft. in two levels – Level four and three, the GVK Lounge has a total capacity to accommodate 440 guests.
The lounge hosts some of the most innovative facilities and latest technologies in the form of concierge services, smoking zone, F&B, bar, luxury spa, shower area, relaxation area, library and a business centre, in keeping with MIAL’s ideology of encouraging product, service and design innovation to complement the overall ambience, design and architecture of the new terminal T2.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Reddy said, “At GVK CSIA, it has been our continuous endeavour to enhance traveller delight, and the new GVK Lounge at T2 will successfully take this effort to new heights. The lounge reflects a kaleidoscopic vision of the dreams of India and the pulse of Mumbai, and is themed to give the travellers a blend of world class local ambiences at the airport. We are confident that the travellers will relish the service experience offered in the GVK Lounge. Airlines can now offer a unique and luxurious lounge experience to their discerning passengers and the ‘pay per use’ concept means no upfront investments and lower operating costs for Airlines.”
CSIA has awarded the lounge concession to a partnership between Travel Food Services (TFS), the leading food and beverage operator in the travel sector, and Performa, a gategroup company and a worldwide leader in designing, managing and servicing of airport lounges. The GVK Lounge is built, operated and managed by TFS in partnership with Performa.
Commenting on the occasion, Sunil Kapur, chairman, TFS said, “We have worked closely with the team at GVK MIAL to embody the vision of the Airport into our lounge experience for travellers, and are confident our partnership with Performa will create a true benchmark. Airlines flying from the Airport will be able to offer their premium passengers an unmatched experience that will provide an inestimable value to their patrons. On entering the lounge, passengers will glimpse a combination of design that is of the highest international standard but still epitomises the spirit of Mumbai; experience superlative service and care from our highly trained professionals; a one of a kind gastronomic journey; and a basic philosophy of making the lounge experience a reflection of the authenticity, warmth and character of Mumbai.”
Beat Ehlers, managing director, Performa (gategroup’s lounge service brand) said, “We are elated to be working together with our partners GVK and TFS for bringing together the best of both worlds to create an unrivalled customer service experience for premium travellers through unique service, culinary excellence and an exceptional lounge concept based on personal interaction, warm and professional service and a solid understanding of the guest mindset and product knowledge, delivering nothing but the best.”
The lounge is segregated in three different categories – first class (FC), premium class(PC) and business class(BC). The experience at the exclusive FC section at Level 4 of the lounge will be akin to a five star hotel with highly personalised service and care to details. The service concept is based on maximum comfort, providing exclusive and the highest level of attention without compromising privacy. FC travellers will enjoy top level amenities such as à la carte dining, and individual spa treatments, and further will be able to avail facilities including relaxation rooms, shower facilities, concierge services, etc.
The PC section travellers will benefit from fast access to an exclusive lounge environment on level 4, the same level as the FC lounge. A seating set-up of 170 seats guarantees privacy and personalised service with care to details. The buffet area, which is connected to a live Tandoori kitchen, will entice the PC guest with a selection of finest dishes, fresh fruit juices from the juice bar, a whiskey lounge and much more. PC guests will have preferential access to a number of additional service offerings such as a foot massage, or access to the relaxation area, smokers lounge, etc.
Travellers in the BC section will benefit from a seating area with 270 seats on level 3; this will offer the guests more privacy. The buffet area will offer a range of fresh Oriental, Asian and International dishes. Furthermore, this section will offer a number of additional services such as foot massages, a smokers lounge, barista service, etc.