SkyTeam opens new airport lounge in Dubai

Business travellers looking to relax, enjoy a hearty meal, or simply get some work done before their flights, need not look further than SkyTeam's new airport lounge at Dubai International Airport.
Situated in the newly-built Concourse D, Terminal 1, the lounge was officially inaugurated on Tuesday, and has been designed to offer high-end hospitality and amenities for Elite Plus, First and Business Class passengers of the 10 SkyTeam member airlines serving the airport. Marhaba services will manage the lounge on behalf of SkyTeam.
"Business travel today is no longer all about London, New York, or Tokyo. With airlines increasingly offering greater connectivity to destinations in the far reaches of the globe, travellers today are looking for a place to relax and a chance to make their travel as smooth and as comfortable as possible," Perry Cantarutti, SkyTeam CEO and managing director, told Khaleej Times.
Cantarutti noted that it is not enough for airlines today to strike it big in terms of networks, and that airport lounges are today an increasingly important part of an airport's service offering. "Travellers are increasingly adding a trip to an airport lounge into their travel schedule. They are asking for a comfortable area with robust complimentary Wi-Fi, good food and beverage options - whether it is for a snack or for a full meal, and a place to do their business before a flight. We expect over 600,000 passengers to pass through the lounge on a yearly basis."
SkyTeam's Dubai lounge is set over 960sqm and has seating for 180 customers. Open 24/7, the new facility offers complimentary hot and cold snacks, representing the cuisines of the member airlines in Dubai; shower facilities for travellers looking to freshen up; unlimited Wi-Fi; a business centre with printing facilities; a VIP room cater to corporate travellers; and numerous electrical outlets to recharge electronic devices.
Featuring SkyTeam's 'New Concept' in lounge design, the Dubai space maintains sleek, modern curves while using accents of wood to add warmth. Combined with a living wall of plants, this brings nature into the airport experience. The lounge also features a Digital Art Gallery, featuring works by different artists. A separate TV room maintains a tranquil ambience and a dedicated children's room keeps mini-globetrotters occupied. Customers can also choose from a wide selection of local and international newspapers and magazines.
"Shared facilities like our new Dubai lounge are a tangible example of how SkyTeam airlines can offer a greatly enhanced airport experience to their customers through synergies," said Cantarutti. "Since we opened our first lounge in 2009 at London Heathrow, we have seen their value increase, because they are popular with our customers while delivering benefits to our members' businesses. Dubai is a rapidly emerging global aviation hub and the busiest airport in the world for international passengers, so this was a natural location for our latest lounge to meet the expectations of our premium passengers."
- rohma@khaleejtimes.com