W E M A K E T R AV E L B E T T E R
MAKING EVERY MOMENT AT THE AIRPORT COUNT A CONVERSATION WITH AMERICAN EXPRESS
FOCUSING ON HOW CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE AT AIRPORTS BOOSTS BRAND LOYALTY YOUR AIRPORT MOMENT CAMPAIGN
PLAZA PREMIUM LOUNGE CURATES A COLLECTION OF UNIQUE AIRPORT MOMENTS AT THE AIRPORT
SPRING 2019
World’s Best Independent Airport Lounge
A new way of travelling awaits you at our beautifully crafted lounges globally across 30+ international airports
Explore #MyAirportMoment
plazapremiumlounge.com
HIGHLIGHTS O U R G LO B A L NETWORK
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LOCATIONS
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INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTS
World’s Best Independent Airport Lounge
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COUNTRIES & REGIONS
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Plaza Premium First Hong Kong
A BRAND NEW LOUNGE AT LANGKAWI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT Located within the Departure Hall, Plaza Premium Lounge Langkawi is designed with a live cooking station and relaxation area for travellers to enjoy before departing the magical island.
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A DEEP DIVE INTO THE IMPORTANCE OF CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE WITH AMEX Chris Cracchiolo, Senior Vice President, Global Loyalty and Benefits of American Express shares insights on connecting with members through providing an exceptional airport lounge experience.
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PLAZA PREMIUM LOUNGE RECOGNISED AS A TOP SERVICE BRAND Plaza Premium Loung wins Hong Kong Top Service Brand award, a recognition to outstanding brands established by Hong Kong companies.
We look forward to hearing from you!
A GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP WITH CHINA AIRLINES Plaza Premium Group introduces premium lounge experiences at Plaza Premium Lounge and Plaza Premium First to more than 80 million Phoenix Miles members at over 70 locations.
06 YOUR AIRPORT MOMENT, PLAZA PREMIUM LOUNGE’S FIRST EVER GLOBAL CAMPAIGN Plaza Premium Lounge celebrates the different airport journeys shared by travellers in the latest campaign.
Business Development businessdevelopment@plaza-network.com Sales & Reservations sales@plaza-network.com
Corporate Communications and Media Enquiries pr@plaza-network.com
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NEW OPENINGS
PLAZA PREMIUM LOUNGE LAUNCHES IN LANGKAWI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT Plaza Premium Lounge has opened the doors to its newest lounge, this time on the Malaysian resort island of Langkawi. Located within the Departure Hall (pre-security), the new boutique space is designed for leisure and family travellers visiting the holiday destination, and features comfortable seating, shower facilities, complimentary Wi-Fi and charging stations for electronic devices. A special menu captures the essence of local cuisine with dishes ranging from Nasi Lemak and Ipoh Hor Fun Soup to international delicacies, with ingredients sourced locally where possible as part of the new lounge’s philosophy of sustainable travel, which also minimises the use of plastic and wastage. The newest addition to Plaza Premium Lounge’s award-winning network of independent airport lounges joins other Malaysian lounges in Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Kota Kinabalu and Kuching, as well as more than 70 locations at international airport hubs globally.
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PLAZA PREMIUM GROUP CONTINUES TO EXPAND GLOBAL NETWORK ACROSS SOUTH EAST ASIA, CANADA AND THE MIDDLE EAST
ROOT98 & FLIGHT CLUB ARRIVE IN THE MIDDLE EAST Plaza Premium Group’s innovative airport dining concept Flight Club has opened at Muscat International Airport in the Sultanate of Oman. Flight Club is a herb and seed-inspired dining concept that encourages travellers looking to maintain their healthy lifestyles while travelling. Operating 24 hours a day, the venue uses fresh local produce to create a vast array of dishes, many with local Omani touches. Meals are matched with an extensive selection of hot and cold beverages, including slow-pressed juices, made from locally-sourced fruit and vegetables, and designed to bolster body and mind during travel. Flight Club Muscat is located on Level 5 of the Departures section, near Aerotel Muscat, and caters to 158 guests. The restaurant also offers travellers a raft of amenities, from a smoking area and Wi-Fi to charging stations, flight information, and televisions with satellite channels. Root98 Dammam opens in King Fahd International Airport (Shop 1100, Departure Level), giving a delicious option to the Saudi Arabian city, it is inspired by the best locally-sourced ingredients. Root98 overlooks views across the runway, the new outpost is the Group’s third, joining locations in Hong Kong International Airport and Winnipeg Richardson International Airport. The innovative, 49-seat restaurant serves dishes guided by the principle of combining authentic flavours that gives a sense of place.
Signature dishes at Root98 Dammam include a range of dishes from Arabic Mixed Grills, Grilled Veggie Burger to Moroccan Orange Cake. At Flight Club Muscat favourite dishes are Samak Mashwi, Chicken Curry and Biryani.
NEW BORDER ZONE LOUNGE IN CANADA Plaza Premium Lounge has also opened a new lounge for the US Transborder terminal within Toronto Pearson’s Terminal 1 departures area in Q1 2019. The lounge caters to travellers bound for the neighbouring US. With a floor area of 246 sq.m., the dedicated lounge, which is located at gate F53, caters for up to 71 travellers with comfortable lounge seating, complimentary Wi-Fi, a dining area and dedicated workstations.
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FEATURE
DISCOVERING YOUR AIRPORT MOMENT
Recognising that airports cater to a wide range of travellers with ever-evolving expectations, Plaza Premium Lounge has launched its Your Airport Moment campaign, showcasing the experiences on offer to every traveller.
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o to any major airport and you’ll see every type of traveller, from families headed on vacation, to corporate road warriors bound for their next meeting. The one thing they have in common is that they’re all travellers, a concept at the core of the new global brand campaign – Your Airport Moment – launched by Plaza Premium Lounge, the world’s largest independent airport lounge network. The aviation industry has seen rapid growth over the past 20 years, with passenger numbers rising from 1.467 billion in 1998 to 3.979 billion in 2017 according to the International Civil Aviation Organisation, with China and the US markets leading a growth that the International Air Transport Association (IATA) predicts will see 7.2 billion air passengers travelling by 2035. Plaza Premium Lounge has recognised this growth and also the diversity of travellers visiting airports around the world with its Your Airport Moment Campaign to coincide with Plaza Premium Group’s 20th anniversary and to capture the different experiences of solo travellers, business travellers and travelling families and friends.
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AIRPORTS HAVE BECOME A DESTINATION OF THEIR OWN AND SAVVY TRAVELLERS LIKE TO TRAVEL IN STYLE “Whether you are chilling out at lounges, shopping or enjoying a local signature dish before embarking your next adventure, we invite you to share your unique airport memories with a global audience,” says Janis Tse, Marketing Director of Plaza Premium Group. The campaign, which commenced in March and has been rolled out in key markets in Australia, Hong Kong, India, mainland China, Malaysia, the Middle East and UK, responds to discussions held during the Key to the Future of Travel Forum organised by Plaza Premium Group and held in Hong Kong. The forum was attended by over 150 experts from the aviation hospitality, financial and media industries and included a panel discussion by Vivian Cheung, Deputy Director of Aviation Development at the Airport Authority Hong Kong; David Yeung, Founder and CEO of Green Monday; Gary Cheng of TripAdvisor; and Song Hoi-see, Founder and CEO of Plaza Premium Group. The panel of experts shared predictions on the evolution of the international travel scene and insights on how players could better target core travellers. Key findings of the forum included the importance of the human touch as a component of the airport experience; the influence of Millennial travellers; and the growing importance of concepts like wellness. The forum recognised that today people are travelling for different reasons and are therefore looking for different airport experiences. While corporate travel has long been the pillar around which the airport experience has been molded, other travellers are now influencing airports and the experience they deliver, including 8
Millennial travellers and travelling families, in part because of the rapid development of Low Cost Carriers. In 2015, the global aviation network carried 3.5 billion passengers on 34 million scheduled departures and by 2030, this is expected to nearly double. Low-Cost Carriers have played a major role in this extraordinary expansion, carrying 984 million passengers in 2015, a 10 percent increase on 2014, and have been quick to pick up on the needs of leisure travellers, including Millennials and families, with experience-driven approaches and competitive fares. Millennials are especially experience-driven; according to Resonance Consultancy’s new Future of U.S. Millennial Travel report, 25 percent of US Millennials will travel on their own in the next 12-24 months, while Travel Daily News reported that 71 percent of those travellers also view experiences as a fundamental component of their lifestyles. This includes sustainable dining - with research by Amadeus finding that 66 percent of travellers want an international food selection at airports and 61 percent prefer locally-sourced cuisineand airport-based wellness concepts, part of a market that was valued at US$639 billion in 2017. However, it’s not just Millennials forging a change in the airport experience. The Virtuoso Luxe Report found that travellers born between the mid-1990s and mid-2010s – known as Generation Z – are also major influencers on travel trends and will help shape air travel in the coming years.
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Families are also travelling more and have their own needs when it comes to airports. Flexible work conditions and the development of communication technology allows families more time to travel in search of experiences that will bind them closer. Airports and airport companies that cater to families with amenities like the nursery rooms and children’s menu in Hong Kong, mini library in Melbourne and the soon-to-be launched nursing facilities and playroom at Plaza Premium Lounge Helsinki will have an edge when it comes to appealing to this important demographic. Many of these travellers also have an extended airport experience as they transit major hubs like Singapore’s Changi Airport, which saw a record number of passengers in 2017 (62.2. million), of which one-third were transiting; and London Heathrow, where transit passengers made up 30 percent of the 78 million passengers in 2017. This makes these travellers’ experience – and requirements – even more crucial for airports looking to stay competitive. All of these travellers are looking for a different airport experience, from intelligent transit facilities and airside hotels like Plaza Premium Group’s Aerotel brand, to lounges with catered amenities; and elevated dining experiences, all of which must be accessed through technology like end-to-end biometrics and dedicated apps, but which must be delivered with a human touch, according to the panelists at the Future of Travel Forum. Airports are realising that this diversification of the traveller profile is one which will shape expectations 10
FEATURE
TRAVEL HAS BECOME A WAY OF LIFE AND ROUTINE FOR MANY, WHICH IS WHY AIRPORTS NEED TO INCORPORATE MORE LIFESTYLE ELEMENTS TO ADAPT TO THIS CHANGE. WE MUST APPRECIATE THAT EVERYONE IS A TRAVELLER AND THAT THERE ARE DIFFERENT NEEDS FOR DIFFERENT TRAVEL TYPES, CULTURE AND BEHAVIOUR in the decades ahead. In response, many major hubs are evolving to better cater to different traveller types and are subsequently becoming destinations in their own rights. The Your Airport Moment campaign – which includes brand videos, print and online advertising, airport billboards, a dedicated landing page and a social media initiative – seeks to engage all travellers and to offer them a catered airport experience that’s responsive to their specific needs. “Travel has become a way of life and routine for many, which is why airports need to incorporate more lifestyle elements to adapt to this change. We must appreciate that everyone is a traveller and that there are different needs for different travel types, culture and behaviour,” said Janis Tse, pointing out that Plaza Premium Lounge caters to all traveller profiles with amenities including spas, business corners, children’s corners, yoga rooms, and prayer rooms, as well as price points that include pay-in options, credit card programmes, lounge membership programmes and gift cards. The Your Airport Moment campaign will help bolster brand loyalty among travellers. Consumers
with an emotional connection with a brand have been found to have a 306 percent higher lifestyle value, will stay with a brand for an average of 5.1 years, and will recommend brands at a higher rate, according to a study by Motista.
During the Your Airport Moment campaign, travellers are given the opportunity to win 100 lounge visits to Plaza Preimum Lounge, by posting their best and most unique airport moments with the dedicated #MyAirportMoment hashtag.
To see the campaign video
www.plazapremiumlounge.com/en-uk/yourairportmoment
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EXPERT
CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE: AIRPORT HOSPITALITY IN HELSINKI In anticipation of the new Plaza Premium Lounge opening soon at Helsinki Airport, we speak with Katja Siberg, Vice President, Marketing, Corporate Communication and Customer Experience of Finavia, and Emre Cakir, General Manager of Operations, Finland of Plaza Premium Group, on how they will elevate the customer experience. journey and it can sometimes be a stressful place for a traveller. Our job is to create a soothing and stress-free atmosphere and offer smooth customer experience. An airport lounge should provide passengers with a refreshing moment of rest and relaxation before their next flight. EC: Passengers travel with different purposes, leisure, business… bleisure. Also different age groups expect different things, take for example we have learnt from our studies that business travellers ultimate value efficiency the most, in an ideal scenario, they want everything at their fingertips, quickly. So what we do is we walk through the different scenarios and approach the different touch points. We will build new service and facilities within the lounge for family travellers that will bring conveniences to guests, and look to digitalise the lounge experience. Finavia is committed to enhancing the airport experience and driving non-aeronautical revenue in the process, this is demonstrated in their billion euro development programme and is newest extension, Aukio aiming for smooth customer experience as passengers number grow. With the upcoming launch of Plaza Premium Lounge in Helsinki Airport opening in the departure terminal this summer, we sit down with Siberg and Cakir to see what is to come. What are you doing to enhance the airport experience? KATJA SIBERG: We are serving passengers and developing the customer experience based on their needs and expectations is at the heart of our strategy at Finavia and Helsinki Airport. Our aim is to deliver smoothly running processes, high quality services, comfortable and functional terminals, and friendly customer service. Surveys, customer feedback, and social media help us guide our improvement efforts to the right direction. We listen carefully to passengers, carriers, and our employees. EMRE CAKIR: In PPG we introduce different ways to make travel better. In the case of Helsinki, we want to use our services to increase the dwell time at the airport by providing lounge experiences of a global standard. Lounges provide an exclusive space where you can await your flight comfortably, through our study of passengers and their travel habits, we give them more reason to use a lounge. Also not to forget in Helsinki the pay-per-use lounge model is very new, so the concept is if you are not flying business or first, you are not entitled to lounge experiences, we’re here to say “we’re giving you an option”. What do passengers in Helsinki want and what are the key behavioural changes? KS: I believe passengers expect high-quality restaurants and services and comfortable premises that can even offer unforeseen experiences. An airport is a crucial part of the 12
Innovating is not easy, what are you doing to ensure a successful execution? EC: Innovating airport hospitality concepts is in the forefront of what we do, we do a lot of trial testing, also pilot concepts across different locations to look at the scalability. We benefit from a network of 160+ locations, 44 international airports and a team of over 5000 people, so we leverage this expertise and coverage to ensure we anticipate different airport usage scenarios – arrival, departure, transit – logistics, culture etc. KS: For us customer experience and its development is a big thing. That’s why we have a long tradition in testing our services and facilities from time to time especially when we are about to open something new. The new facilities at Aukio were also given a test run by about 200 volunteer passengers. The purpose is to receive feedback in order to fix any potential defects or deficiencies on a quick schedule. The customers’ wishes and ideas are also collected to aid in further development. We always bring new facilities into use step by step. We use 3D modelling when designing new premises. Plaza Premium Lounge Helsinki will be located at the non-Schengen terminal, opening summer 2019.
VIEW FROM THE TOP
ENHANCING THE TRAVEL EXPERIENCE WITH LOUNGES Speaking with Chris Cracchiolo, Senior Vice President, Global Loyalty & Benefits of American Express on how its global lounge programme and Centurion Lounge offering has helped them up their game.
What are Amex customers looking for in a lounge experience? American Express Platinum Card and Centurion Members are global travellers whose work and personal lives are often intertwined, so they are looking for premium lounge spaces that offer them comfort and a place to unwind when they’re travelling, whether it be for work, personal, or a mix of both. In addition to the incredible premium amenities and services our Centurion Lounges provide, through our broader Global Lounge Collection, our Card Members have access to more than 1,200 lounges across the globe, including our International American Express Lounges, and our partner lounges like Plaza Premium Lounges, Delta Sky Clubs, and more. What does having an airport lounge offer Amex as a company looking to connect with its members? Our airport lounges enable us to further service and support our Card Members as they travel the globe. We created The Centurion Lounge in 2013 to offer them an amazing place to escape while traveling and since then, it has quickly become one of their favourite travel benefits. This is why we continue to build out this perk, both by expanding our Centurion Lounges locations – now to nine across the globe, with five more opening in the future – and by extending access to more and more partner lounge programmes such as Plaza Premium’s.
What has Plaza Premium Lounge been able to offer Amex in Hong Kong? Our Platinum Card and Centurion Members enjoy complimentary access to Plaza Premium Lounge locations at Hong Kong International Airport, where they can sit back with amazing services and offerings such as complimentary 15-minute organic seated massages, shampoo and blow-dry services, a delicious buffet spread, evening tapas, hot shower suites, and more. With two departure lounges in the East and West Halls of Terminal 1 and an arrivals lounge in Terminal 2, our Card Members can take advantage of these great spaces once they arrive to or depart from Hong Kong. How does the Hong Kong Centurion Lounge meet those needs and how does it compare to other credit card-affiliated lounge offerings? Located conveniently in Terminal 1, the 8000-squarefoot Centurion Lounge features a wide range of our signature amenities as well as some uniqueness such as a mix of locally and internationally-inspired food dishes. The lounge also offers custom cocktails from mixologist Jim Meehan and a curated selection of wines from wine authority Anthony Giglio.
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Our Centurion Members and their guests also have exclusive access to a private area within the lounge – the first of its kind – with a dedicated Member Services Professional and an à la carte menu designed by Michelin star chef Lau Yiu Fai of Yan Toh Heen at the InterContinental Hong Kong. We think of airport lounges as just that – a place of leisure before a flight. What does The Centurion Lounge offer business travellers on the go? All our locations offer complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi, power outlets and private-noise buffering workstations so that they can continue their work while on the go. Or, they can indulge in our quality food and beverage offerings, upscale restrooms and shower suites, or even get a spa service in select Centurion Lounge locations. Additionally, our Member Services Professionals are always there to assist with their Card account or travels, such as making a dinner reservation or adjusting their flight or accommodations. Dining has become an increasingly important component of the lounge experience; what culinary experience does the lounge offer members? When developing our lounge’s dining options, it’s important that we bring to life the city’s culture and flavours, so we look to partner with well-known local chefs to create a menu that offers a mix of locallyinspired dishes and more widely popular options, just like we’ve done in the Hong Kong Centurion Lounge with chef Lau Yiu Fai. We also have longstanding partnerships with renowned mixologist including Jim Meehan of PDT. Meanwhile, our resident wine authority Anthony Giglio curates a cocktail and wine menu for each location, often taking inspiration from the destination and accompanying food menu.
How have you seen the lounge experience evolve over the past decade and where is it headed? Lounge experience has increasingly become an essential part of consumers’ travel journeys. More consumers are looking for lounge access as they travel the globe, and are even going out of their way to arrive early or travel to different terminals to get access to premium lounges like ours. Additionally, the lounge experience and amenities are increasingly becoming more exclusive, premium and expansive, with more and more lounges now offering high-end food and beverage offerings, spa services and more, to help their visitors escape and relax while travelling. What are the most important elements to an airport lounge for your members? Our Card Members look for a place to unplug and access amenities that enrich their overall travel experience. We continue to see our Card Members especially value our one-of-a-kind food and beverage menus, upscale restroom and shower suites, family playrooms, and of course the on-site and reliable service of our Member Services Professionals. How are member expectations changing? Our Card Members are increasingly looking for a programmes that provides them with seamless access to premium lounges wherever they travel. This is why we have continued to invest in growing our Global Lounge Collection by increasing our own Centurion Lounge offerings, adding new partner lounge access, and continuing to enhance our digital capabilities. For example, we have announced that Centurion Lounges will open in London, LA, Denver, and JKF, to name a few. We’re also enhancing the digital tools to ensure a seamless lounge experience. For example, our “Find a Lounge” feature within the Amex mobile app lets you quickly search and find information on more than 1,200 lounges our Card Members have access to through the Global Lounge Collection.
WE LOOK FOR PARTNERS THAT EQUALLY VALUE PROVIDING AN EXCEPTIONAL EXPERIENCE AND SERVICE TO TRAVELLERS AROUND THE WORLD. PLAZA PREMIUM GROUP IS AN INDUSTRY LEADER THAT VALUES OFFERING AIRPORT HOSPITALITY ACROSS THE GLOBE. The Hong Kong Centurion Lounge is the only one of its type outside the US – why did you choose Hong Kong to branch this concept out internationally? Hong Kong is a major travel hub for our increasingly global Platinum Card and Centurion Members, so the Hong Kong International Airport was the perfect place to open the first international location of The Centurion Lounge. While we have a number of international airport lounges that are also exclusively designed for our Card Members, the Hong Kong Centurion Lounge was the first to be built as a global Centurion Lounge, offering all of the premium amenities that Centurion Lounges provide in US locations. We look forward to opening our second international Centurion Lounge, and our first location in Europe, at London’s Heathrow Airport soon. Why did you choose to work with Plaza Premium Lounge and how has the experience been? We look for partners that equally value providing an exceptional experience and service to travellers around the world. Plaza Premium Group is an industry leader that values offering airport hospitality across the globe. As we both share this goal, Plaza Premium Lounge was a natural partner when we looked to expand the lounge access we provide to our Card Members through the Global Lounge Collection. 15
A MEMBER OF PLAZA PREMIUM GROUP
A SEAMLESS END-TO-END AIRPORT EXPERIENCE Enjoy an exemplary airport Meet & Greet experience with a ďŹ rst class welcome or farewell when you arrive, depart or transit. We give you the luxury of spare time and provide the support and facilities to help you make the most of it. From baggage handling, lounge stays to buggy service, our team guarantees seamless coordination every step of the way.
Your Journey, Our Priority
allwaysvip.com
DALLAS FORT WORTH* MACAU NEW DELHI NEW YORK - JOHN F. KENNEDY TORONTO *Coming Soon
EXPERIENCE
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EXPERIENCE OUR WORLD EVERY TRAVELLER EXPERIENCES AIRPORTS IN THEIR OWN UNIQUE WAY, WE ARE IN THE BUSINESS TO MAKE IT NEXT-LEVEL. WE HIGHLIGHT SOME SPECIAL EXPERIENCES FOUND IN PLAZA PREMIUM GROUP’S LOUNGE COLLECTION.
1. Whisky aficionados can discover the airport’s most extensive whisky selection at Plaza Premium First, Hong Kong starting at HK$130, whisky tasting experiences are offered to guests before they board, the latest whisky flight tasting menu includes three kinds of whiskies featuring Longmorn 16 Year Old – Speyside, Edradour Stright From The Cask Sherry Finish 2007 – Highland and Lagavulin 16 Year Old – Islay as well as ones from The Journey of Lost Distillery. 2. Stay revived and fresh at Refreshhh by Aerotel or selected Plaza Premium Lounge locations. Shower cabins providing hot powerful showers can be booked to help refresh pre or post flight or while in transit.
3. Fitted for those looking for a healthy fare, Plaza Premium First offers an array of seasonal salads at its iconic salad wall. In addition, guests can also enjoy the culinary team’s take on the plant based burger, which uses Beyond Meat patties served with sweet potato fries. We are committed to making sure travellers eat well. 4. Relax and unwind at Plaza Premium Lounge when travelling with children, family friendly staff and facilities ensures a safe environment for little ones to play while awaiting your flight. Nursing rooms, children’s menu, high chairs and playrooms will be available at more locations including Plaza Premium Lounge Cebu, Helsinki and more. 17
W H AT ’ S U P # P P G FA M I LY PLAZA PREMIUM LOUNGE INDIA
Dedication in the lounge turned to competition on the court as Plaza Premium Lounge staff from Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport participated in an in-house badminton tournament hosted in the capital. The event was held on 30th January, 2019, at the airport’s Terminal 3, and Winner, Mr. Ranjan Kaul, was awarded his trophy by Mr. Mohan Limbu, Regional Gereral Manager, Plaza Premium Group, India. Spread The Love Also in India, February was the month of love at Plaza Premium Lounge in Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Delhi and Hyderbad, with special Valentine’s Day dishes added to the buffet menus, including Fruit Trifle in Mousse shot glasses, and Banana Cream Eclairs.
PLAZA PREMIUM GROUP HONG KONG
Plaza Premium Group HQ and Hong Kong team joined forces to take on the city’s peaks as they participated in the 26th Green Power Hike, an annual event that attracts over 3,000 hikers each year and which fosters green initiatives and thinking.
In Vancouver, members of the Plaza Premium Lounge celebrated People’s Day, also known as ‘everyone’s birthday’ according to the traditional Lunar calendar, marking an exciting moment at the start of the Year of the Pig.
PLAZA PREMIUM LOUNGE CANADA
Plaza Premium Group supports young talents by offering scholarships to six students at Hong Kong Design Institutes and IVE.
Johnson Wong, Chief Operating Officer of our Group joined the professor for a day programme at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University to teach students a lesson on airport hospitality. 19
RECOGNITIONS & AWARDS
Vote for us! Our independent lounge brand, Plaza Premium Lounge was voted the world’s best independent lounge by Skytrax three years in a row, and we are hoping to making it a fourth. Your votes are the greatest appreciation to our team and we hope you will help us win the prestigious accolade again. For more information, visit www.plazapremiumlounge.com/skytrax-vote
In Hong Kong, Plaza Premium Lounge has been awarded a Hong Kong Top Service brand Award, marking the brand’s focus on service in its home town. The Plaza Premium Lounge brand was established at Hong Kong International Airport so the accolade has special significance.
Aerotel Abu Dhabi T1
Aerotel Abu Dhabi is feeling the love after being recognised with the “Loved by Guests” award for 2018 by Hotels. com. This coveted accolade recognises independent hotels that have delivered and exceeded guests’ expectations of excellence and is a tribute to the Aerotel team’s hard work and dedication.
Dammam Airport Company recently awarded a certificate of appreciation to Plaza Premium Lounge General Manager Mr. Hassan Mehmood for organising a DACO Breakfast Event.
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C H I N A E X PA N S I O N
PLAZA PREMIUM GROUP’S MISSION TO CHANGE THE AIRPORT EXPERIENCE IN CHINA Plaza Premium Group expands footprint in China with several airport hospitality services with the addition of Aerotel Beijing first in line.
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ccording to IATA’s 20-year air passenger forecast in 2015, China will replace the U.S. to become the world’s largest aviation market around 2024 with total number of passengers rises to 1.3 billion by 2035. The Chinese government, as part of its 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-2020), aims to develop an additional 20 airports across the country by 2020, bringing the total to 260 airports. This year, Beijing Daxing International Airport will open in September. Located in the capital’s southern Daxing District, the airport is intended to be a new international aviation hub in China with a target of having a total passenger capacity of 45 million by 2021 which will further increase to 72 million by 2025. The world’s market leader in airport hospitality Plaza Premium Group has a strategic expansion plan in place to target the Chinese travellers with the opening of Aerotel Beijing scheduled for October 2019. “Beijing is among the top destinations for both international and domestic travellers, while it is also the top outbound sources to other countries. This is a natural step for us to establish our footprint in the capital city, and we are grateful to have the opportunity of introducing our flagship Aerotel
which will also be the world’s largest in-terminal accommodation in the new airport.” shares Jenny Zhang, Regional General Manager and Business Development Director, China of Plaza Premium Group. Located in the Domestic Arrivals Hall, the two-storey Aerotel Beijing will be spanning a total of 10,000 sq.m. and offering 200 guestrooms. Facilities will include a restaurant, a private dining room, a gym area and two meeting rooms. In addition to Beijing, Plaza Premium Group has also signed agreement with airport in Qingdao to develop airport lounge and transit hotel.
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PA RT N E R S H I P S
HONG KONG Plaza Premium First continues to expand its lounge offering to leading international airlines and their premium travellers. First class passengers of Air France, Upper Class passengers on Virgin Atlantic, business class passengers including Nomad Club Gold and Diamond members on Air Astana, First Class passengers and HON Circle members of Lufthansa and Swiss Airlines will be able to experience new Plaza Premium First lounge. Selected frequent flyer members and passengers of Thai Smile will also have access to Plaza Premium Lounge in Hong Kong. Additionally, new SupremeGold account holders with an initial deposit of HK$1,000,000 at Bank of East Asian will receive two complimentary passes to the Plaza Premium First lounge. CHINA PRC Globally, Plaza Premium Lounge partners with Air China, starting end of April 2019. The partnership will introduce a premium lounge experience to over 80 million Phoenix Miles members at over 70 Plaza Premium Lounge locations, including Abu Dhabi, Hong Kong, Langkawi, London, Melbourne, Rome, Siem Reap and Vancouver, to name a few. The redemption programme will include the exclusive Plaza Premium First experience in Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur.
THE MIDDLE EAST In a new partnership with Oman’s national carrier, stop over passengers on Omani Airlines can now enjoy transit hotel services and flexible bookings at Plaza Premium Group’s Aerotel Muscat airport transit hotel. The hotel concept is designed to offer travellers fuss-free transit accommodation, ensuring they continue on their journey refreshed and recharged. Aerotel Muscat offers comfortable guest rooms for all traveller types, including business travellers, solo travellers and families, with each boasting seamless technology, contemporary en-suite bathrooms, and modern décor. Plaza Premium Lounge has partnered with two leading travel groups in Saudi Arabia – ITL World and Zahid Travel Group – to offer their clients complimentary access to the company’s airport lounges in Saudi Arabia. Plaza Premium Lounge presently operates two lounges in the Kingdom, at Dammam and Riyadh, and the new partnership will allow clients of the two travel companies to relax and rejuvenate before beginning their journeys.
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SINGAPORE At Singapore Changi International Airport, fans of TGM Japanese Korean Cuisine can now book with ease and enjoy time-based discounts of up to 50 percent daily thanks to a new collaboration with Eatigo and Chope Singapore. The new partnership also offers users access to a comprehensive rewards programme, and a myriad of exclusive promotions, perks and special menus.
SOUTHEAST ASIA In Southeast Asia, holders of CIMB Malaysia and Cambodia’s Preferred Visa Infinite card can now enjoy access to all Plaza Premium Lounge locations in the two countries. Plaza Premium Lounge presently operates lounges in Kuala Lumpur, Langkawi, Kuching, Penang and Kota Kinabalu in Malaysia, as well as Siem Reap and Phnom Penh in Cambodia. In addition, card members of Genting Rewards Alliance can enjoy an array of offers to enhance their airport journeys. These include restaurant discounts across Malaysia and Singapore airports to special rates on Plaza Premium Group’s brands including Plaza Premium Lounge, Aerotel – airport transit hotel and Wellness. This special offer is valid until the 31st August 2019. MALAYSIA In Malaysia, Plaza Premium Group has partnered with Golden Screen Cinema (GSC) to offer moviegoers discounts at Plaza Premium Lounge venues, dining outlets and wellness enclaves at Malaysian airports, while members of Celebrity Fitness can enjoy 20 percent discounts at Plaza Premium Lounge locations in Malaysia, including wellness and dining outlets in a deal that’s valid until 31st December 2019.
PLAZA PREMIUM GROUP NETWORK
GREATER CHINA Hong Kong, Macau, Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Taipei AUSTRALIA Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney BRAZIL Rio De Janeiro CAMBODIA Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Sihanoukvile CANADA Edmonton, Toronto, Vancouver, Winnipeg FINLAND Helsinki INDIA Ahmebadad, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, New Delhi INDONESIA Jakarta ITALY Rome MALAYSIA Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Lumpur, Kuching, Langwaki, Penang MALDIVES Malé OMAN Muscat, Salalah PHILIPPINES Cebu, Manila SAUDI ARABIA Dammam, Riyadh SINGAPORE THAILAND Bangkok UNITED ARAB EMIRATES Abu Dhabi, Dubai UNITED KINGDOM London Heathrow UNITED STATES Dallas Fort Worth, Denver, New York John F. Kennedy