Airlines return to premium services as economy recovers

Mumbai: Encouraged by the economic recovery and anticipating a growth in premium passengers, international airlines are beginning to offer a raft of services to first and business class fliers.
While some carriers have reintroduced first class sections on certain routes, others have launched exclusive lounges at airports.
On Friday, Dubai-based Emirates Airline threw open its first such lounge in India at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport for its first and business class passengers as well as some of its frequent flyers.
These customers will also be offered a pickup facility to the airport, which already has five premium lounges by other airlines. The Emirates lounge, built at a cost of around $4 million (Rs18.6 crore), offers services such as wireless internet access, designer bathrooms and even massages.
“Ideally, we want to set up an exclusive lounge in every airport from where we have at least two flights a day,” said Mohammed H.Y. Mattar, divisional senior vice-president, airport services, Emirates group, adding that they are launching a similar space at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi.
Deutsche Lufthansa AG, which operates Lufthansa, in November reintroduced a first class section on its Mumbai-Munich route, which was discontinued in November 2008 due to a global economic slowdown. A spokesperson for Lufthansa in India said the airline is also considering a lounge for premium passengers.
19/02/10 P.R. Sanjai/Live Mint

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Categories: Foreign Feb 2010