plazapremiumgroup.com
Plaza Premium Group
WINTER/SPRING 2018
feature story
Partnership Matters view from the top
Patti Chau
– an expert voice from Airports Council International what’s new
Founder & CEO named Business Person of the Year New Lounge @DMM, SIN, RUH, MEL, YYZ, FCO & LHR New Aerotel @KLIA2
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Feature Story
feature story
Partnership Matters One of our greatest strengths comes from our expertise we share with industry partners
As the expert in managing airport lounges, we are able to apply an unparalleled level of industry know-how to the operation of every partner lounge.
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hile travellers already know and love our Plaza Premium Lounge network, which continues to grow with new locations added every year, many may not realise we also operate lounges all over the world on behalf of partner airlines and for some the largest airline alliances – Star Alliance and SkyTeam – based on various business models. Plaza Premium Group (PPG) is the world’s first and largest operator of independent airport lounges. We work closely with our partners to tailor
the most optimal hospitality solution to best serve their customers’ needs upon departure, transit or arrival.
industry know-how, bridging design, construction, aviation, hospitality, and Food and Beverage knowledge.
ALL-ROUNDED SERVICE FOR PARTNERS = DESIGN-BUILD-OPERATE
We operate three lounge models and deliver them accrding to the needs of each partner. The models are, Operate & Manage; Design-Build-Operate & Manage; and Finance-Design-BuildOperate & Manage. Whichever model they choose, our partners benefit from improved customer satisfaction and loyalty, while a lounge managed by us can dramatically enhance public image, reputation and industry performance ranking of our partners.
Our partners are either aviation giants focusing on transporting travellers, or financial institutions offering diversified lifestyle rewards. When it comes to lounge operation and management, we are their trusted partner with
American Express Centurion lounge in Hong Kong
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Partnering with PPG has distinct cost-saving benefits, allowing airlines and airports to reduce headcount, capital expenditure and operational costs. We give the best to our partners as we train professional lounge staff, enabling them to go the extra mile and deliver a world-class customercentric airport experience.
PARTNERSHIPS THAT MATTER AMERICAN EXPRESS – REWARDING LOUNGE EXPERIENCE At PPG we pride ourselves on providing customer service that is second-tonone. And for that reason, global brands trust us to deliver services and develop different new lounge projects on their behalf. PPG is a global partner of American Express (Amex) and manages their network of Centurion and American Express Lounges in Hong Kong, Sydney and Melbourne. Eligible American Express card members can kick back and relax at these lounges with an array of delectable food and beverages. What’s more, PPG builds the lounges for Amex as we design and advise our partner on the best use of space and materials in an effective and durable fashion. As the expert in managing airport lounges, we are able to apply an unparalleled level of industry know-how to the operation of every partner lounge.
Star Alliance lounge in Rio de Janeiro
alliances some of the most remarkable lounges in the industry. Our expertise deployed on these lounges include zone allocation, interior design, furniture selection, as well as E&M (electrical and mechanical) design and management. Operationally, we also support Star Alliance and SkyTeam lounges with a onestop hospitality management – full front-of-house management, bar and catering, logistics and housekeeping.
STAR ALLIANCE AND SKYTEAM – YOUR LOUNGE JOURNEY REIMAGINED
BUSINESS AND FIRST CLASS HOSPITALITY
We have teamed up with Star Alliance and SkyTeam, the world’s two largest airline alliances, to operate their latest lounges in Rio de Janeiro, Hong Kong, and Sydney. We have designed and built for the two global airline
Airlines have long been PPG’s strategic partners. Currently, we operate Lufthansa lounge in New Delhi, Thai Airways’ lounge in Hong Kong and El Al Israel Airlines’ in London Heathrow. We manage Air Macau’s in Macau and most of Cathay Pacific’s critically acclaimed First and Business Class lounges around the world, including those in Bangkok, London Heathrow, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Penang, Taipei, Vancouver, and their arrival lounge in Hong Kong.
Open in April 2018: American Express Lounge alongside Plaza Premium Lounge in Melbourne
Cathay Pacific’s First and Business Class lounge in London Heathrow
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Feature Story In China, we also partner closely with China Eastern Airlines on their Shanghai Pudong departure lounge and have recently finalised a lounge management plan with China Southern Airlines for their Guangzhou operations. Building strong working relationships with our partners ensures real benefits for all parties; our lounge management service allows the airlines to concentrate on what they do best – flying their passengers to their destination comfortably and onschedule. Meanwhile, we take care of the pre-flight aspects of the travel experience. To that end, we serve a range of great food, from international fare to cuisine informed by local flavours and ingredients, wherever in the world our partners are based. Upon airline partners’ request, our Food & Beverage team will tailor seasonal menus, carefully curated wine list and signature cocktails. PPG AND SATS – BLOSSOMING YOUR LOUNGE DESIRE PPG’s new partnership with SATS, Blossom – SATS & Plaza Premium Lounge, is the first and only independent lounge at Singapore Changi Airport’s new Terminal 4. Designed with comfort in mind, we offer travellers a serene tranquility to relax and unwind, freshening up at our shower facilities, enjoy therapeutic massages by our master masseurs, and savour refreshing drinks at our Tapas Bar.
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Blossom - SATS & Plaza Premium Lounge in Singapore
Apart from design and construction capabilities, we developed this partnered lounge with a brand new uniform, look and feel, and comprehensive service offerings to meet the ever changing needs of air travellers. EXPERTISE FROM THE GROUND UP Our staff receive 130,000 hours of training each year to ensure we consistently meet customers’ expectations and deliver quality service, for which PPG was awarded the ISO 9001:2008 certification.The high standards of our service was further evidenced when colleagues working at a Cathay Pacific lounge were bestowed the Outstanding Customer Service accolade (out of 500 nominated cases), in HKIA’s annual Customer Service Excellence Programme in recent years. The award recognised their exemplary performance when arranging immediate medical assistance for a traveller with respiratory issue aggravated by the failure of her breathing machine. Even more airlines and airports are choosing to
partner with PPG, and our management service is picking up more awards and accolades every year. Our nearly 5,000 colleagues at over 160 locations in 37 international airports continue to build on the expertise developed over the two decades that PPG has been providing a uniquely joined-up service for travellers and partners alike. PPG’s Business Development Director, Jonathan Song, puts it best when he says, “Our passion for sharing our expertise in developing global airport hospitality solutions, done in collaboration with different partners, drives innovation in the industry, makes travellers’ time at the airport more productive and travel more pleasurable.” P
SkyTeam lounge in Sydney
* PHOTO CREDITS: AMERICAN EXPRESS, CATHAY PACIFIC AIRWAYS, SKYTEAM, STAR ALLIANCE
View from the Top
View from the Top
Patti Chau
– an expert voice in a unique position to analyse industry trends
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irports Council International (ACI) plays a crucial role in airport development. As the only global trade representatives of the world’s airports, ACI represents airport interests with Governments and international organizations to develop standards, policies and recommended practices for airports. We spoke to the Regional Director of the organisation’s Asia Pacific office, Patti Chau, who shared some of her ideas about what’s in store for the industry’s future.
“WHAT TRENDS DO YOU ANTICIPATE AFFECTING THE INDUSTRY OVER THE COMING YEARS? “ We are entering an era of change. It is important for all players in the airport community to embrace change and adopt passengers’ expectations in order to enhance their airport experience. Over the years, airports have transformed into a complex business offering a variety of services. Passengers now spend a lot more time at airports, so airports must offer variety; we read about top chefs opening restaurants and we see plans for the opening of casinos at airports. Airports around the world are working hard to go beyond what has been expected from them in the past.”
“HOW IS CONSUMER DEMAND DRIVING DEVELOPMENT?” “Airports are the gateways to the city, they give passengers the first impression about the destination. The next generation of airport design will focus on airports as a destination in themselves. Passengers generally have higher expectations as they have become more knowledgeable. They are demanding that airports should provide digital services and tailored experiences. Therefore, airports must continually improve their service levels in order to succeed.”
Terminal 1, Hong Kong International Airport
“HOW CAN TECHNOLOGY IMPROVE EFFICIENCY AND PASSENGER CONVENIENCE?” “One commonly adopted approach at airports is the application of different technologies to improve airport efficiency and passenger convenience. Airport digital transformation entails the use of technology to radically improve performance. It is not about implementing new technologies but transforming the airport to take advantage of information technology, to focus on the how rather than the what.”
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Feature View from Story the Top
“WHICH TECHNOLOGIES ARE HAVING THE BIGGEST IMPACT?” “ACI encourages the application of Biometrics at airports. To simplify the passenger flow, we are in support of IATA’s Single Token concept, where the passenger’s identity is verified and authenticated only once throughout a journey. Singapore, Changi Airport Terminal 4 opened in 2017; at this newest and most innovative terminal, passengers’ travel experience is enhanced by facial recognition technology. Passengers can try out the self-service options for bagdrop, immigration and boarding. Facial recognition technology is also available at Beijing Airport.”
“ARE THERE TECHNOLOGIES WHICH HELP PERSONALISE THE TRAVELLER’S EXPERIENCE?” “In terms of how technology could help improve the passengers’ experience, ACI also recommends Beacon Technology. One example is Hong Kong International Airport; passengers using the ‘HKG My Flight App’ can receive push notifications with airport information, including dining and shopping offers and promotions at the airport.”
Beijing Daxing International Airport is under construction. Image from the Internet
We are entering an era of change. It is important for all players in the airport community to embrace change and adopt passengers’ expectations in order to enhance their airport experience. “WHAT ARE THE LIMITS OF THIS KIND OF TECHNOLOGY?” “The Asia - Pacific region is one of the fastest growing regions in the world and it is a challenge for airports in this region to cope with the demand. Many airports in the region urgently need upgrade or expansion. In China, there are plans to build 136 airports by 2025 and some secondary cities are in need for an airport to improve their connectivity. While in India, the Minister of Civil Aviation indicated that India’s airport count will double by 2019. The aim there is to access the largely untapped domestic market. In Japan, Kansai Airport successfully opened its Terminal 2 and Tokyo’s Haneda Airport will undergo a large-scale renovation in response to an expected surge in flight numbers ahead of Tokyo’s 2020 Olympics. Narita Airport is also in discussion with the government on the construction of a third runway.”
“WHERE CAN PPG APPLY ITS STRENGTHS IN INFRASTRUCTURE AND SOFTWARE - TRANSIT HOTELS, HEALTHY DINING FACILITIES AND LOUNGES - AND HELP AIRPORTS TO DEVELOP” “With the rise of new technology, customer service provided by attentive staff is still irreplaceable. The pay-in airport lounge allows passengers to greatly enhance their airport experience by relaxing in a spacious lounge with attentive service, regardless of their class of travel. Having a pay-in lounge available is definitely one of the value-added facilities and will greatly improve the competitiveness of the airport.”
My Flight My Flight App by Hong Kong International Airport
Terminal 4, Singapore Changi Airport
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“WHERE WILL THE NEXT BIGGEST REGIONS BE FOR GROWTH?” In the Middle East, the pace for privatisation also appears to be speeding up. Especially for oilproducing nations, Public-PrivatePartnerships are increasingly being considered to help reduce the financial burdens and strains resulting from low oil prices in the long-term.”
“HOW CAN HIGH-QUALITY SERVICE BE MAINTAINED THROUGHOUT THE CURRENT PERIOD OF GROWTH?” “At ACI, we offer airports a worldrenowned and globally established global benchmarking programme, the Airport Service Quality (ASQ) programme, which measures passenger satisfaction whilst they are travelling through an airport. The ASQ programme provides the tools required to better understand passengers’ views. ACI is dedicated to helping airports to become more competitive, thereby increasing passenger satisfaction, which will give airport the necessary edge over their competition.”
“WHAT OBSTACLES MIGHT STAND IN THE WAY OF GROWTH?” Privatisation of Brisbane Airport, Australia
“WHY IS IT IMPORTANT FOR COMMERCIAL PLAYERS TO CONTRIBUTE TOWARDS BOOSTING AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT?” “Increasing capacity requires capital. Many governments in our region recognise that private sector participation can play an important role in developing and upgrading strategic airport infrastructure and airport privatisations. This is made evident with the series of recent privatisation projects and announcements of plans in various parts of the region.”
“While the rapid growth of air traffic in our region offers many opportunities, gaining the permission to grow, obtaining financing and securing land are some of the challenges that our members face. If we are to meet the long term demands of air travelers, the aviation industry needs to jointly establish and develop adequate regulatory regimes, international cooperation framework, sufficient infrastructure and a competent workforce for sustainable success.” P
Expansion of Hong Kong International Airport into a three-runway system
* PHOTO CREDITS: AIRPORTS COUNCIL INTERNATIONAL ASIA-PACIFIC, BRISBANE AIRPORT CORPORATION, CHANGI AIRPORT GROUP, HONG KONG AIRPORT AUTHORITY
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Partnerships
JOINING HANDS for a better airport experience
DAMMAM DMM LOUNGE CONTRACT AWARD A new Plaza Premium Lounge has recently soft-opened at King Fahd International Airport in Damman, Saudi Arabia, marking a continuation of PPG’s expansion in the Middle East. PPG designed and built this new 11,200 square-foot lounge with seating for around 250 guests, which is located airside in International Departures and will feature a range of dining options as well as shower facilities for guests. Mr. Song Hoi-see, Founder and CEO of Plaza Premium Group, said “We are very excited to join hands with General Authority of Civil Aviation and Riyadh Airports Company to open a brand new Plaza Premium Lounge in Riyadh, and at the same time be invited by Dammam Airports Company to introduce the world’s best airport lounge service to travellers in Dammam. We look forward to offering extra comfort and convenience to the global travellers flying through the Middle East from around the world.”
King Fahd International Airport
NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS AT LONDON HEATHROW T2A South African Airlines has awarded Plaza Premium Lounge the tender to provide lounge services at London Heathrow Airport Terminal 2A Arrivals. Previously, South African Airlines business class passengers used the United arrivals lounge at Heathrow, but from October 1st 2017, they have been welcomed into the new lounge where they can enjoy Plaza Premium Lounge’s great range of services and facilities. Two South African Airlines flights arrive at London Heathrow every morning; SA234 at 6:25am and SA236 at 7:20 pm.
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Plaza Premium Lounge, T2 Arrivals, London Heathrow Airport
ALIPAY IN LONDON HEATHROW Alipay, the world’s most widely used third party mobile payment platform, can now be used as a payment method at all of Plaza Premium Lounge’s locations at London Heathrow. With 1.15 million Chinese passengers passing through Heathrow every year, this new service is bound to make a huge difference to countless journeys. Alipay is facilitated in the UK by Zapper. The Commercial Director of Zapper, Ben Walker, says, “Plaza Premium Lounge is the only independent lounge to accept Alipay in the UK, this will give Chinese tourists travelling both to, from and via London the opportunity to pay and gain entry using their Alipay app. By offering a homefrom-home payment experience, Zapper’s QR code solution is the ideal way to enable Alipay users to pay quickly and securely for goods and services when travelling.”
PARTNERSHIP WITH FAZAA IN ABU DHABI Fazaa, the rewards programme based in the United Arab Emirates, will now offer its members a 20% discount at the Plaza Premium Lounges in Abu Dhabi. From October 1st 2017, Fazaa Visa Card-holders and Fazaa Discount Card-holders have been able to enjoy a discounted rate on 2 to 5 hours of lounge use at the Plaza Premium Lounge and the Al Ghazal Lounge by Plaza Premium Lounge at Abu Dhabi International Airport. This new partnership opens up access to Plaza Premium Lounge services to Fazaa’s 75,000 members, including 40,000 based in Abu Dhabi.
Plaza Premium Lounge, Terminal 1, Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport
CHINA EASTERN AIRLINES AND HONG KONG AIRLINES TO WORK WITH PPL-TPE ON HIGH-END CIP LOUNGE ACCESS After much hard work and many rounds of discussion, China Eastern Airlines and Hong Kong Airlines have begun a partnership with PPG, appointing PPG to provide CIP lounge access to their high-value customers at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport. PPG’s specially arranged guest service will swiftly guide CIPs from the check in counter to the Plaza Premium Lounge, where they can enjoy all the benefits and luxury that our guests have come to expect. PPG has the capacity to provide these services to even more airline partners and travellers.
NEW COLLABORATION WITH SHENZHEN AIRPORT JOYEE BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CO., LTD. In November 2017, PPG and Shenzhen Airport Joyee Business Development Co., Ltd. signed a Letter of Intent for Business Cooperation, paving the way for future collaboration on delivering mid-to-premium airport services. PPG and Joyee will work together to achieve competitive advantages for both companies and guide middle-to-long term development between the two parties. Mr. Song Hoi-see, Founder and CEO of the Group explained, “This cooperation further demonstrates our Group’s commitment to the Chinese market.” P
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Global Footprints
WHAT’S NEW?
Latest updates from Plaza Premium Group GROUP FOUNDER AND CEO NAMED BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR Mr. Song Hoi-see, Founder and CEO of the Group, was named Business Person of the Year at the Sin Chew Business Excellence Awards 2017. Organised by the Sin Chew Media Group in November 2017, it is one of the most prestigious business awards programmes in Malaysia. In accepting the award Mr. Song emphasised his desire to launch a business that would “Do something for the majority.” He added, “I am extremely humbled to be the recipient of the revered Business Person of the Year Award. And it is a great honour indeed that Plaza Premium Lounge Malaysia is acknowledged as the recipients of the Business Service Excellence Award and the CIMB – Sin Chew Regional Excellence Award at the same time. This is truly a testament to the company and my team.”
Mr. Song Hoi-see, Founder and CEO of the Group
AEROTEL KUALA LUMPUR OPENING
Riyadh Kuala Lumpur Singapore
Melbourne
Designed by travellers for travellers, the latest Aerotel at Malaysia’s Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 (KLIA2) offers four room types, Solo Plus, Double Plus, Double Squared and Family, all comfortably-furnished in earthy shades and accentuated with subtle hues of green that invites guests to simply rest and recharge. Rejuvenate with powerful hot showers, catch up on the latest news and entertainment on the large colour TV, connect with family and friends over free WiFi, or chill-out at the laidback Bar. Its location at the gateway@ klia2 means guests can eat, shop and rest without leaving the airport, perfect for a layover or catching a redeye flight out of KLIA or KLIA2. Aerotel Kuala Lumpur is PPG’s fourth hotel and offers flexible check-in time for a minimum of 6 hours per stay.
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BLOSSOM – SATS & PLAZA PREMIUM LOUNGE CHANGI T4 OPENING Blossom – SATS & Plaza Premium Lounge (Blossom Lounge) is a new joint product between SATS and PPG in Singapore. Since opening in October last year, it is the only independent lounge at Changi Airport’s new Terminal 4. The year 2017 marked an important milestone for Changi Airport, as new high-tech systems and procedures went live for the first time. Blossom Lounge is located in Terminal 4 departures, where a cutting-edge facial recognition system is in place that promises to make passengers’ travel experience more fuss-free than ever. Covering around 1,100 sq metres and with 280 seats, the Blossom Lounge offers guests hospitality, dining and drinking, as well as shower facilities 24 hours a
day. A 5-hour adult pass costs S$58, and S$29 for children between 2 and 6 years old. Invited elite passengers of Korean Air and Vietnam Air, as well as DragonPass, Priority Pass and selected bank cardholders enjoy complimentary access to Blossom Lounge.
Blossom - SATS & Plaza Premium Lounge at Singapore Changi Airport
PLAZA PREMIUM LOUNGE RIYADH OPENING First Plaza Premium Lounge in Saudi Arabia officially opened on Mezzanine Level, Terminal 1 Departures, Riyadh King Khalid International Airport in October 2017. Spanning nearly 1,200 sq metres with comfortable seating for over 250 guests, the lounge features soaring windows, polished granite and high quality upholstery in warm hues that create the relaxing ambience of a classy clubhouse. For guests requiring a little extra privacy, the state-of-the-art facility includes Plaza Premium Lounge’s signature
honeycomb seating and a VIP area. Other amenities include showers, flight information displays, international TV channels, complimentary WiFi and, of course, plenty of electrical outlets for tablets, laptops and mobile phones. Open around-the-clock, the lounge provides guests with an array of food and beverage options; juices, coffee, tea and hot chocolates, and hot dishes, so travellers can treat themselves with mouthwatering fare before boarding their flight.
PLAZA PREMIUM LOUNGE MELBOURNE OPENING Our partners are important to us, they help increase our global footprints as we work hand-in-hand with them to deliver products and services to address their business’ needs and the demands of their customers. Recently, PPG, together with our partners, Melbourne Airport and American Express, unveiled not one, but two lounges at Melbourne Tullamarine Airport. The first is the American Express lounge operated by PPG that caters to AMEX premium card members,
with AMEX’s Centurion DNA evident throughout the lounge design. Right next door is PPG’s own Plaza Premium Lounge featuring abstract ‘honeycomb’ and ‘cabin’ designs. Offerings include complimentary food and beverage, featuring Australian produce and barista service, WiFi, and a selection of local and international magazines and newspapers. Both lounges occupy a total space of more than 700 sq metres, at Terminal 2, Satellite Level Departures.
PLAZA PREMIUM LOUNGE TORONTO T3 US TRANS-BORDER OPENING In late October 2017, Plaza Premium Lounge opened a new lounge at Terminal 3 U.S. Trans-border Departures in Toronto Pearson International Airport. Conveniently located immediately after security, the new lounge is a quiet and cosy space where guests can relax pre-flight. Guests can enjoy free WiFi, comfortable seating, coffee, tea and a variety of beers, wines and spirits at the bar. The lounge features an interactive live cooking station where guests have a chance to see their breakfast or lunch freshly-made in front of them. The new lounge is the first in the Terminal 3 trans-border area to be open to all passengers regardless of flight class or airline and adds to the existing Plaza Premium Lounges in both terminals at Toronto Pearson International Airport along with our locations in Vancouver, Edmonton and Winnipeg.
Canada
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Global Footprints
FLIGHT CLUB WINNIPEG OPENING
PLAZA PREMIUM LOUNGE ROME OPENING The latest Plaza Premium Lounge debuted in Terminal 3 of Rome’s Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport, marking PPG’s sixth location in Europe. This Plaza Premium Lounge features design inspired by the Roman Colosseum with tall pillars complementing the use of fine timber and polished marbles in its airy 1,000 sq metres haven. Plaza Premium Lounge Rome is open 24/7 and houses six shower rooms, the first of its kind at Fiumicino Airport. Other facilities and services include complimentary WiFi, an extensive variety of digital reading material and TV channels, plus ample charging stations for electronic devices. Guests can watch their meals prepared at the live cookings stations, or take their pick from the spread of mouth-watering buffet, and quench their thirst at the Bar with its array of juices, soft drinks and specialty coffees and teas.
Winnipeg
The latest Flight Club opened at landside arrivals in November 2017 at Richardson International Airport offering travellers arriving in Winnipeg a great new culinary experience. With seating for 130 diners, signature dishes include Spiced by the Sea Ahi Tuna Tartare, Flight Club veal cheek and the Loaded Tarragon Chicken Sandwich or Wrap. Also on offer are coldpressed juices and a kids menu. Plus, in recognition of Canada’s favourite sport, there will be unique limited-time menus launched to celebrate the start of each new hockey season.
PLAZA PREMIUM LOUNGE LONDON HEATHROW T5 DEPARTURES OPENING Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, Head of Global Partnerships at HSBC, Lead Commercial Manager from Holiday Extras and the Head of Property and Commercial Telecoms at Heathrow; a lineup that was indicative of the overwhelmingly positive response received by PPG’s latest venture at Heathrow.
Adding to the already impressive Plaza Premium Lounge lineup at London Heathrow, a new lounge was opened at Terminal 5 Departures in October 2017. The launch of the new lounge was celebrated with a spectacular launch party at Maddox Gallery in London’s Mayfair. PPG’s Executive Director, Mrs. Linda Song, gave a speech to some 100 attendees from the travel and hospitality industries with high profile guests including the Managing Director of DragonPass, the Head of Tourism Marketing at Westfield, Head Concierge at the
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As for the new lounge itself, open from 5am until 10pm, it has seating for about 170 guests. The lounge offers the same great dining options that can be found in all Plaza Premium Lounge locations, including chef’s soup of the day and lunch and dinner menus featuring meatballs with spaghetti, chicken curry with rice, BBQ chicken wings, vegetable lasagne, baby potatoes with herbs, a salad bar, cheese and meat platters and assorted sandwich platters. Diners can enjoy desserts such as chocolate mousse or fruit salad, while those looking for a lighter bite can choose from a range of pastries. P
London
Rome
Corporate Social Responsibility
CSR PROGRAMMES ACROSS THE PPG NETWORK UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO SOCIETY In recognition of PPG’s continuous commitment to taking care of the communities to which we belong, The Hong Kong Council of Social Service awarded the 5 Years Plus Caring Company Logo to PPG. The logo is only awarded to companies with a proven track record of not just caring for the community, but for employees and the environment too. At PPG we continue to put all our effort into evolving our business model to create social and environmental benefits while simultaneously driving value and productivity for our Group. The following are a number of activities we participated around the world from late 2017 to early 2018.
LHR PPG COLLEAGUES RAISE MONEY FOR MACMILLAN CANCER SUPPORT In late 2017, PPG colleagues at London Heathrow Airport raised £500 for Macmillan Cancer Support by taking part in The World’s Biggest Coffee Morning. The event is Macmillan’s biggest annual fundraising effort for people fighting cancer. PPG and Cathay Pacific teamed up to serve homemade cakes to travellers and staff at the airport as part of a nationwide effort that raised a total of over £21 million.
PINKATHON IN INDIA In September 2017, our colleagues in India participated in Pinkathon, a marathon run with the aim of spreading breast cancer awareness among women and to encourage them to adopt a healthy lifestyle. Organised by the United Sisters Foundation, Pinkathon is India’s biggest all-women run that saw women from all walks of life come together to support the cause. Female empowerment is important to PPG, as is the sense of achievement that comes from taking part in such a meaningful event.
AIRPORT AUTHORITY HONG KONG SPORTS DAY Last October, PPG colleagues had a great day participating in Airport Authority Hong Kong’s annual Family Sports Day and Carnival. It was a beautiful sunny afternoon with perfect temperatures for outdoors activities. The event included game booths, workshops, a bouncy castle and live entertainment, not to mention a fine spread of food and drinks! PPG participated in the team obstacle race, facing fierce competition from the likes of AVSECO, DHL, and Cathay Pacific.
The race reached a climax when our CEO, Mr. Song Hoi-see, completed the final leg and rang the bell to signal the end of the race. We’re all looking forward to future events hosted by Airport Authority, which promise to increase cohesion between colleagues and across the organisations that operate within the airport.
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Corporate Social Responsibility
CARING INITIATIVES BRIGHTEN CHRISTMAS SEASON We organised a series of CSR events during the Christmas season to round off a year during which PPG actively participated in numerous charitable initiatives; including Oxfam and Orbis donations, The Community Chest dress casual day, the ‘Help our Neighbour’ charity walk and Po Leung Kuk flag day, to name but a few. The events were organised with Heep Hong Society, which provides rehabilitation and training services to moderately and severely disabled kids aged 2 to 6.
CHRISTMAS WORKSHOP A Christmas cake-pop workshop was organised in Tung Chung where PPG’s headquarters is located for children requiring special attention. This year, the workshop was led by our COO, Mr. Johnson Wong with the assistance and creativity of our executive chefs. This is the fourth year of the workshop, which has had a different theme each time. Around 30 kids took part; everyone involved in this wonderful day left with big smiles and great memories!
GIFT A WISH CARD Drawings by children from Heep Hong Society were printed on ‘wish cards’ that guests were invited to hang on the branches of the Christmas tree at Plaza Premium Lounge in Hong Kong. For every card hung on the tree PPG donated HK$5 to Heep Hong Society to help children reach their full potential in a healthy environment.
DONATION BOX Donation boxes were placed throughout Plaza Premium Lounge locations at Hong Kong International Airport during the Christmas period, and travellers were encouraged to donate their pocket change. All proceeds were sent to Heep Hong Society in support of their daily operations. In total PPG donated a five-figure sum to Heep Hong Society this year. We sincerely hope to continue in our charitable efforts in 2018 and wish all our friends and colleagues a peaceful and successful new year!
RAISING FUNDS WHILE CLEANING UP AT GREEN POWER HIKE 2018 PPG is delighted to support this year’s Green Power Hike, a green initiative dedicated to environmental education. The February 2018 hike marks the event’s 25th anniversary, and our very own team participated in the 10km category of the Hong Kong Trail at Aberdeen Country Park. While hiking the trail, the team performed clean-up activities, picking up litter along the way and storing the rubbish in mesh bags for recycling after the event. All participants were treated with apples at the finishing line! Beyond cleaning up, our team also raised HK$12,000 for the organiser to continue their conservation efforts. P
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Recognition & Award
ACCOLADE CONFERRED BY CATHAY PACIFIC A Certificate of Excellence was awarded by Cathay Pacific to PPG on 31 January 2018. In recognition of our service excellence on lounge operation and management, their Director Customer Mr. Simon Large said: “We are very pleased to work together with Plaza Premium and appreciate their support over the years. Plaza Premium continues to be one of our trusted partners, in particular for providing outstanding service to our customers at our lounges around the world.” PPG operates and manages Cathay Pacific’s critically acclaimed departures lounges in Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, London, Manila, Penang, Singapore, Taipei and Vancouver, and arrivals lounge in Hong Kong.
KULINARY 2017 KULinary 2017 showcased the top 25 food discoveries from over 2,000 dishes available at KLIA and KLIA2’s 100 F&B establishments. PPG’s Flight Club and The Green Market received the Dining Choice Award from Malaysia Airports for their winning dishes, ambience and service in October 2017. Flight Club’s Rotisserie Chicken and The Green Market’s Tantan Noodles were nominated ‘Hero Dishes’ by FriedChillies.com, a renowned food network company dedicated to food discoveries from all over the world.
Printed on environmentallyfriendly paper
HKIA GREEN PHOTO COMPETITION 2017 The Green Photo Competition, open to everyone currently working on HKIA’s Chek Lap Kok island, challenged photographers to capture aspects of Hong Kong’s natural landscape and the region’s plants and animals. PPG’s Alvin Song Yi-shi was awarded the 2nd runner-up prize in the Natural Landscape category for his photograph “Living Waters’ which captured the atmosphere of Silvermine Bay Waterfall near Mui Wo on Lantau Island in October 2017. The judging panel included Mr. Wilson Fung; Executive Director, Corporate Development, Airport Authority, Dr. Man Chi Sum of Green Power and the renowned nature photographer Mr. Samson So.
VOTE FOR PLAZA PREMIUM LOUNGE AT SKYTRAX AWARDS 2018 Plaza Premium Lounge remains as committed as ever to enhance travellers’ lounge experience with excellent service and facilities. You made it possible for us to win Skytrax World’s Best Independent Airport Lounge in 2016 and 2017. Voting season for Skytrax Awards 2018 is open until May and we call on your support once again to help us win for the 3rd year running! Visit www. plaza-network.com/skytrax2018 and cast your vote for Plaza Premium Lounge today. P
Plaza Premium Group Focus welcomes your comments, suggestions and feedback. We can be reached at pr@plaza-network.com. For business enquiries, please write to businessdevelopment@plaza-network.com. Plaza Premium Group Focus is published by Plaza Premium Lounge Management Limited.This publication may not be sold. No part of this publication may be reproduced, adapted, performed in public or transmitted in any form by any process without prior written permission of Plaza Premium Lounge Management Limited. © Plaza Premium Lounge Management Limited 2018. All rights reserved.
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