- SUMMARY
- Air India has closed its Maharaja Lounge at Delhi Airport Terminal 3.
- Encalm Hospitality will refurbish and operate this lounge.
- The new lounge will be even bigger than the current one.
In order to enhance the airport experience of its premium guests, Air India has taken on one more initiative to revamp its lounges at major Indian airports. The airline has closed down its Maharaja lounge situated at the International section of Delhi Airport Terminal 3 for refurbishment. Just some days ago, it announced a new lounge at Bengaluru Airport as well.
Air India Lounge Refurbishment at Delhi Airport
On April 19, Air India closed its Maharaja lounge located at the International section of Delhi T3 due to its limited amenities. This lounge will undergo refurbishment and an even bigger lounge will be established within a period of 12 months.
In the absence of its own lounge, the airline has signed a contract with Encalm Hospitality to utilize its lounges at Delhi Airport. The Premium Class passengers as well as Flying Returns platinum & gold members can use the Encalm Prive lounge at Terminal 3.
The Maharaja Lounge is being refurbished by none other than Encalm Hospitality. It will build and operate the lounge. Lounges of Encalm are currently present only at GMR-run airports. It has lounges situated at Delhi, Hyderabad, and Goa Manohar Airport.
Domestic Lounge Refurbishment As Well
Not just international, Encalm Hospitality will also renew and operate the domestic lounge of Air India at Terminal 3. Within the next 18-24 months, the location of the domestic T3 lounge will be changed and an even bigger lounge will be established.
The narrowbody and widebody fleet of Air India is growing rapidly. A growing fleet means an increasing number of passengers. Hence, to accommodate more passengers, the airline is in desperate need of modern and bigger lounges. The current lounges were short of amenities. Furthermore, there were very less options for food and beverage selection. The International passengers flying with Air India have started utilizing the Encalm Prive Lounge.
In December 2023, Air India selected Hirsch Bedner Associates (HBA), a hospitality firm to refurbish its Maharaja lounges situated at Terminal 3 of Delhi Airport and Terminal 4 of New York JFK Airport. The airline plans to expand its lounge network to other major airports in India and other parts of the globe.
New Lounge at Bengaluru Airport
Air India recently signed an agreement with Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) to develop the airport into a hub. Other than enhancing its international presence from the airport, the airline has committed to the construction of a domestic lounge at Terminal 2. This lounge will be dedicated to domestic Business class travelers and eligible members under the Flying Returns Frequent Flyer Programme.
From May 1, the airline will introduce the Airbus A350 internationally with daily flights between Delhi and Dubai. The airline, since privatization has underscored various feats as part of the revamp process. From increasing its international presence, gaining approvals for mergers, and enhancing its widebody fleet, the airline has come a long way. But the challenges are still there. Most of the narrowbody fleet of Air India is still equipped with old and broken seats.
First and business-class seats on the legacy widebody fleet are often broken, resulting in the airline being sued numerous times in Consumer Commissions. From June, the refurbishment process of the widebody fleet will start. The airline has already partnered with RECARO for the supply of more than 22,000 seats within the next 5-6 years.
What do you think about the refurbishment of Air India lounges? Discuss in the comment section.
With Inputs From Times of India
Featured Image Credits: Encalm Hospitality Website
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