Produced by: Hitansh Gaur
Long waiting queues and less seating areas have become common issues at Terminal 3 of Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport. But these issues could see an end soon with a new business lounge and recently launched facilities like self-baggage drop.
The GMR-led consortium which operates Delhi’s IGI Airport has unveiled a new luxurious lounge for business and first-class flyers. The new lounge, touted to be Asia’s biggest business lounge, has been named ‘Encalm Prive’.
The new business lounge is spread over 22,000 square feet for now but the area will increase to 30,000 square feet once it becomes fully operational.
Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) CEO Videh Kumar Jaipuriar said, “DIAL is committed to enhancing passenger experience at Delhi Airport. With this new lounge, Delhi Airport has significantly enhanced its lounge capacity and the quality of services and facilities.”
DIAL CEO Jaipuriar further said, “This world-class lounge facility aims to provide a premium travel experience, ensuring that every guest enjoys a seamless journey in the tranquil and exclusive setting of the lounge. Whether seeking tranquillity before a long flight or a place to rejuvenate during a layover, Encalm Prive is the perfect haven for relaxation and unwinding.”
With the new Encalm Prive, Terminal 3 of the Delhi Airport has now two lounges. Encalm is exclusively for business class flyers and first-class passengers of partner airlines. While the credit card users will continue to use the lounge services on the food court level of T3.
The new business class lounge will have several amenities including lounge bays, a bar, a multi-cuisine buffet, live food counters, a kid's play area, a library and a business centre. The operator is planning to add more facilities in upcoming days like a spa centre and gaming zone.
Last month, the GMR-led consortium made Delhi Airport the first airport in India to get the Self Baggage Drop (SBD) facility at IGI airport Terminal 3. The facility is initially available for domestic passengers, with the government yet to give the permission for foreign passengers to use the facility.
The Airports Council International (ACI) ranked Indira Gandhi International Airport as the ninth busiest airport of 2022. The airport reportedly handled 5.95 crore passengers last year.