Airport

Air India to Open New Lounge at San Francisco International Airport ?

Air India is set to expand its presence at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) with the development of its second international lounge.

Although the airline has not officially announced a launch date, sources suggest the new lounge will be operational by 2025. This development coincides with Air India’s milestone of a decade of operations in San Francisco.

The new lounge is expected to enhance the travel experience for Air India’s passengers at one of the busiest airports in the United States, which currently sees about seventeen weekly flights, translating to 2-3 departures daily. air india miles redemption chart

Soon, Air India aircraft will feature onboard WiFi and all-new cabins:Click here

While the lounge’s details have yet to be formally disclosed. This initiative follows Air India’s recent announcements regarding renovations of its lounges at major international hubs.

In December 2023, the airline revealed plans to update its facilities air india a350 routes in Delhi and New York. Air India has chosen Hirsch Bedner Associates (HBA), a renowned interior design firm specializing in hospitality, to undertake the renovations at Terminal 4 of JFK Airport in New York and Terminal 3 of Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi.

Air India plans to renovate lounges at Delhi’s T3 and New York’s JFK T4: Click here

The upgraded lounges will feature state-of-the-art amenities and will offer a refined selection of both Indian and international cuisine. Designed to cater to over 400,000 elite passengers, these lounges aim to provide a superior and comfortable travel experience.

With the planned addition of the San Francisco lounge, Air India continues to enhance its global network and passenger services, reaffirming its commitment to providing exceptional travel experiences across its international routes.

Airport

Three Major UK Airports Up for Multi-Billion Pound Sale

Three major UK airports, including London City, Birmingham, and Bristol, are set to be sold in a multi-billion pound deal as their Canadian owner, the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan (OTPP), seeks to capitalize on a booming air travel market.

The OTPP is in talks with minority shareholders about selling its stakes in these airports, as well as its holdings in Brussels and Copenhagen airports.

Current evaluations suggest the combined value of the five airports exceeds £10 billion, with OTPP owning between 25% and 70% stakes in each, potentially bringing the total sale to over £3.5 billion.

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The move comes as global aviation experiences a strong recovery, driving increased demand for air travel, particularly across Europe. The OTPP, which holds a significant portion of its portfolio in these airports, is in the process of offering its shares to co-investors with a 30-day “right of first refusal” period.

Analysts speculate that the sale could trigger a chain reaction, prompting other stakeholders to consider selling their shares, particularly if a new buyer seeks a controlling interest.

Bristol Airport, for example, has outlined an ambitious master plan to expand its capacity from 12 million passengers per year to 15 million by 2036, addressing the growing demand in the region.

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Meanwhile, London’s Heathrow and Stansted airports have seen record passenger traffic, further underscoring the sector’s recovery.

As the 30-day period progresses, the OTPP’s decision could spark a flurry of activity, with other investors such as Australian giant Macquarie reportedly showing interest in the airports.

This potential sale is set to reshape the future of UK airport ownership and investment, as the aviation industry continues to recover and grow.