Airports

Warsaw, 9th April 2025: LOT Polish Airlines has unveiled the newly renovated Polonez Business Lounge at Warsaw Chopin Airport which is now available to authorized passengers, departing from Warsaw. With this comprehensive transformation, LOT elevates its service standards, offering greater comfort tailored to the needs of all travellers. Whether passengers seek a place to rest, unwind, or work efficiently, the lounge provides an ideal setting before the next stage of their journey. The refurbishment aligns with the national carrier’s strategic goals for 2024–2028. Elegance, Style, and More Space The LOT Business Lounge Polonez impresses with its elegance, functionality and amenities, designed with the needs of modern travellers in mind. The space features a contemporary design and offers comfortable armchairs and sofas, creating a welcoming atmosphere. The colour scheme – deep navy blue, copper tones and amber – reflects LOT Polish Airlines’ visual identity, aligning with the Dreamliner cabin retrofit project and the newly opened LOT Business Lounge in Chicago. ‘We aimed to create a space that not only meets the highest standards of comfort but also redefines the travel experience for passengers who value modernity, exclusivity and a premium atmosphere. The LOT Business Lounge Polonez now combines elegance with functionality – offering more space, innovative solutions and carefully selected amenities that enable both relaxation and productivity. We wanted every guest to feel special and experience Polish hospitality at the very heart of our connecting hub, Warsaw Chopin Airport. We are delighted to welcome guests to our LOT Business Lounge Polonez’, said Izabela Leszczyńska, Director of Product Development and Customer Experience at LOT Polish Airlines. A major advantage of the redesigned interior is the expanded usable space – the Polonez Lounge now offers over 860 m² for guests, following a 153 m² expansion. As a result, the LOT Polish Airlines lounge offers more than 60 additional seats. New features in the expanded section include a self-service bar and a conference room, equipped with a screen and electrical outlets. The interior of the Polonez also features comfortable sofas, from which passengers have an unusual view of the terminal and the airport apron. The entire facility has been equipped with high-speed Wi-Fi, and electrical outlets and USB ports are available in designated areas, providing convenient conditions for both work and rest. Special attention should also be given to the separate area of the lounge, formerly known as Elite, which has been enlarged and from now on operates as the Polonez Gold Lounge. Designed for the most demanding guests, offers a dedicated relaxation zone featuring comfortable loungers with optional partitions to ensure privacy and comfort. Relax Spot by Phenomé x LOT LOT Polish Airlines is expanding its range of luxury lounge amenities by introducing a new SPA zone with an enhanced service package under a new name. Relax Spot by Phenomé x LOT is a unique relaxation space where passengers can enjoy premium skincare treatments. The beauty salon is a rare service available in only a handful of business lounges worldwide, making LOT Business Lounge Polonez truly stand out. Relax Spot by Phenomé x LOT was created in collaboration with the Polish cosmetics brand Phenomé, whose products are also available on-board Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. Regardless of the purpose of travel, proper skincare is an essential part of well-being, and the new SPA zone will allow passengers to unwind and rejuvenate before the next stage of their journey. The beauty salon services will be available to all guests of the Polonez Business Lounge starting from the first half of May 2025, from Monday to Friday. Access and Entry Rules The LOT Business Lounge Polonez is located in the Schengen area of Warsaw Chopin Airport and is open daily from 5 am to 11 pm local time. Complimentary access is available to: • Business Class passengers on flights operated by Star Alliance member airlines, • Business Class passengers transferring to domestic flights, • Passengers travelling on LOT Business Class charter flights who hold a Senator or SA Gold card, • Miles & More cardholders: o HON Circle members travelling on a flight operated by a Star Alliance carrier, o Senator/Star Alliance GOLD members travelling on a flight operated by a Star Alliance carrier, o Frequent Traveller members travelling on a flight operated by LOT, Lufthansa (LH), Austrian Airlines (OS), Brussels Airlines (SN), SWISS (LX) or Croatia Airlines (OU). Other LOT Polish Airlines passengers: LOT Business Class on charter flights, LOT Premium Economy Class on mid- and long-haul and charter flights, and LOT Economy Class passengers on short- and mid-haul flights can purchase entry to the Polonez business lounge at lot.com, through sales agents, the Contact Centre, or at Warsaw Chopin Airport.

Delhi , 04 April 2025: Akasa Air has commenced operations from Darbhanga today, marking its entry into Bihar. The airline will operate daily through-flights between Hyderabad and Darbhanga via Delhi, with no change of aircraft required at Delhi. This new route enhances connectivity between the tourist hub and two major metro cities. The inaugural flight was flagged off by the Minister of Civil Aviation, Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu in the presence of Akasa Air’s Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Vinay Dube and his team at a ceremony held at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi. The event was also graced by senior government officials and the leadership of Delhi International Airport Limited. The maiden flight departed from Delhi at 0900 hrs. and arrived at Darbhanga Airport at 1055 hrs today. Darbhanga becomes the 28th destination added to Akasa Air’s expanding network, reinforcing the airline’s commitment to enhancing air connectivity from metro to Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities across the country. Vinay Dube, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Akasa Air, said, “We are thankful to the Honourable Minister of Civil Aviation, Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu-ji, for his support on this momentous occasion as we successfully launch our inaugural flight to Bihar. The launch of our operations in Darbhanga is a proud moment for Akasa Air as we continue to expand our network and provide enhanced connectivity across India. This addition reflects our commitment to strengthening regional air travel and unlocking new opportunities for economic and social growth in Bihar. We look forward to serving the people of Darbhanga with our customer-centric and efficient services.” Praveen Iyer, Co-Founder and Chief Commercial Officer, Akasa Air, added, “At Akasa Air, our goal is to provide seamless connectivity between metro and emerging cities, ensuring that passengers have access to affordable and reliable air travel. With the addition of Darbhanga to our network, we are proud to enhance connectivity to Bihar, a region with significant economic and cultural importance. This expansion aligns with our commitment to strengthening India’s aviation landscape by offering world-class service, convenience, and an unparalleled flying experience.”

Delhi, 13th March 2025: Adani Airports Holdings Limited (AAHL) has announced the on boarding of Mangaluru International Airport and Thiruvananthapuram International Airport into the DigiYatra initiative of the MoCA. With this, all seven operational airports of AAHL now offer passengers access to use DigiYatra to access the airports. This significant step aligns with AAHL’s commitment to enhance passenger experience through seamless and contactless travel. Jeet Adani, Director, AAHL, stated, “Since its launch on 15 August 2023, DigiYatra took flight at five of our airports: Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Lucknow, and Guwahati. There has been substantial rise in the adoption of DigiYatra by passengers, with some of our airports showing a utilisation as high as 37 percent in one day. More passengers are opting for the convenience and speed of DigiYatra, thereby redefining their travel experience”. Implementation of DigiYatra is testament to AAHL’s commitment to transform the aviation sector in India by embracing cutting-edge technology and providing world-class services to passengers. The DigiYatra initiative aims to provide a paperless and hassle-free travel experience for passengers, leveraging facial recognition technology for seamless entry at airports. The facial recognition technology used by DigiYatra enables seamless passage at various checkpoints. DigiYatra eliminates the need for physical documents, making the travel process efficient and ecologically friendly. It provides an additional layer of security by verifying passenger identity through biometric data.DigiYatra also reduces wait times at various touchpoints, ensuring a smoother and quicker journey for passengers. Security and privacy are central to Digi Yatra’s mission.

Dubai,5th March, 2025: Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs) are working their ways to ensure smooth aircraft movements as several of them face what the EUROCONTROL calls “structural capacity shortfalls, and less airspace availability for re-routings.” Globally, aircraft movements is expected to reach 178.1 million by 2042, up from 106.7 million in 2024.In 2042, international passenger traffic will reach the 8.7 billion mark and domestic traffic to 10.6 billion passengers, as per ACI World. Several ANSPs will be showcasing from May 6 to 8 at the 24th edition of Airport Show, the MENASA’s largest airport industry B2B platform, at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC). The Airport Show will have on display Communications, Navigation and Surveillance (CNS) systems needed to keep the skies safe, secure and efficient, and for delivering consistently high levels of service to airports and airlines. The 8th edition of ATC Forum, a co-located conference supported by DANS among others, will see experts and specialists discussing ATC modernization and innovation in the Middle East whose aviation market is expected to reach US$33.7 billion by 2029, with US$151 billion in airport investments and US$2.4 billion in aircraft investments. Ibrahim Al Ahli, Acting CEO of Dubai Air Navigation Services (DANS), the ANSP for four airports in the UAE including DXB, remarked: “The focus of leading ANSPs is to develop, support and achieve optimum usage of their airspace by adopting new systems and technologies.This is being ensured through new air traffic management capabilities. Our relentless pursuit is for excellence since the 1980s and we continue our work to keep up high the status of the global aviation hub that boasts a thriving aviation ecosystem with unparalleled connectivity. The ANSP has been enhancing its ability to cooperatively manage aviation growth until 2030.The Airport Show participation of over 160 exhibitors from over 20 countries, four of whom featured their dedicated pavilions and over 120 buyers from more than 35 countries, in the previous edition. There were 3,500+ meetings under its hugely popular Business Connect Program. It is being held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group.The three-day show will have co-located conferences – the Global Airport Leaders’ Forum (GALF), Airport Security Middle East, the ATC Forum, and Women in Aviation (WIA). The platform is supported by the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Dubai Airports, Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects, Emirates Airlines, Dubai Air Navigation Services, and dnata, among others. May Ismail, Event Manager at RX, a global company that organizes about 400 events across 42 industry sectors in 22 countries including Airport Show, said: “Air Traffic Control (ATC), like the other civil aviation domains, has been witnessing tremendous transformation as new technologies and innovations emerge. The whole purpose is to enhance efficiency and safety of ATM and ATC. The technology-driven era is enablingthe airports to become thriving hubs. There are challenges and opportunities of growth from disruptive technologies for the ATM. We have to explore what best in available now and what is going to come in the future. Airport Show is serving this niche phase.” The ATC market faces challenges such as high deployment costs, system complexity, stringent regulatory requirements, and cybersecurity concerns related to flight data protection. Advancements in satellite-based navigation, NextGen ATC systems, and the integration of AI are anticipated to enhance efficiency and capacity in airspace management.The Middle East will see until 2030 around 1,058 new aircraft delivered in the region. Passenger traffic in the Middle East is projected to grow by more than nine percent by 2027.

Chennai, 28th Feb 2025: Union Minister for Civil Aviation,Ram Mohan Naidu, inaugurated the UDAN Yatri Cafe at Chennai Airport, marking the second such facility under this initiative. The first UDAN Yatri Cafe was inaugurated on December 19, 2024, at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the historic airport. The Kolkata Cafe has been a resounding success, with travelers expressing high satisfaction with the quality, taste and cost of the offerings. Following immense passenger demand, the initiative is now being expanded nationwide. At the Chennai Airport, strategically located in the pre-check area of the T1 domestic terminal, the cafe will offer all connected passengers access to hygienic refreshments at nominal prices. Ram Mohan Naidu said, “The UDAN Yatri Cafe is a testament to Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji’s vision of inclusive flying, making air travel more convenient, accessible and affordable for all. Following its successful launch at Kolkata Airport, there has been strong demand from travelers to introduce this facility at other airports. After the eastern gateway of Kolkata, we are proud to bring the UDAN Yatri Cafe to the southern gateway, Chennai Airport which is one of the oldest and now the fifth busiest airport in the country, handling over 22 million passengers annually. We are committed to enhance passenger convenience here and with the Digi Yatra and Trusted Traveler Program E-gates, we are also providing a seamless, end-to-end digital travel experience.” Minister Ram Mohan Naidu also shared that the 86,135 sq.m. expansion of Terminal 2 is underway to enhance international operations. Additionally, the refurbishment of Terminals 1 and 4 is progressing with an investment of over Rs.75 crore, while a comprehensive traffic flow management system, costing ₹19 crore, is being implemented to ease city-side congestion. Beyond infrastructure, Chennai International Airport is dedicated to passenger convenience. Free buggy services for senior citizens and pregnant women, childcare rooms, medical facilities and modern lounges ensure that every effort is made to provide a comfortable travel experience. In the media interaction, Minister also highlighted that the Chennai Airport operates entirely on green energy and houses a 1.5 MW solar power plant as part of its commitment to environment. The UDAN Yatri Cafe aligns with the spirit of the UDAN scheme aimed at democratizing air travel and modernizing airport infrastructure. The event was attended by Dr T R B Rajaa, Minister for Industries, Tamil Nadu, senior officials from the Ministry of Civil Aviation, AAI and Chennai Airport, marking another milestone in the Ministry’s mission to enhance passenger experience and connectivity.

Delhi, 17th February 2025: Alstef Group has completed the comprehensive baggage handling system and screening upgrade at Henri Coanda International Airport, located in Otopeni, just north of Bucharest, Romania. This project, which began two years ago following a public tender by Bucharest National Airports Company (CNAB), marks a significant milestone in the enhancement of the airport’s operation. The upgrade included the installation of 56 new check-in conveyors, 12 self-service bag drops, an outbound sortation system with five Standard 3 screening machines, two new make-up carousels, and a transfer connection to the domestic terminal. In addition to the technology upgrades, Alstef Group also managed the associated civil works, HVAC, and other infrastructure expansions to ensure seamless project execution. “This was our first collaboration with CNAB,” says Pierre Boussard, Project Manager for Alstef Group. “We are proud of the results and are excited to continue our partnership with a five-year operations and maintenance contract now in place.” Henri Coandă International Airport is Romania’s largest and busiest airport, and this successful project marks Alstef Group’s expanding presence in Eastern Europe.

Abu Dhabi,02 Jan 2025: Etihad Airways opened its new Etihad U.S. Preclearance Lounge at Zayed International Airport on 30 December, enhancing the travel experience for passengers flying to the United States. Located steps away from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Preclearance facility, the new lounge provides eligible guests with a serene space to unwind after completing their U.S. entry formalities and before boarding their flight. The thoughtfully designed facility features a refined selection of beverages and light dining options, complementing Etihad’s premium travel experience. Select flights offer the convenience of direct boarding from the lounge, enhancing the seamless journey. “This new lounge marks another milestone in our commitment to delivering exceptional experiences for our guests,” said John Wright, Chief Operations & Guest Officer at Etihad Airways. “By combining our premium lounge service with the convenience of U.S. Preclearance, we’re offering our guests an elevated journey through Abu Dhabi before they even board their flight. Zayed International is the only Middle East hub to offer this time-saving service.” The U.S. Preclearance Lounge welcomes eligible guests travelling in The Residence, First or Business, as well as Platinum and Emerald Etihad Guest members. Access is also available for purchase, subject to availability. For a comprehensive premium experience, eligible guests are invited to begin their journey at Etihad’s acclaimed First or Business Class Lounge in the main terminal before proceeding to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Preclearance facility approximately 90 minutes before their flight. Flying with Etihad Airways to the U.S. offers the unique advantage of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Preclearance facility, one of only a few such facilities worldwide. By completing all U.S. customs and immigration formalities before boarding in Abu Dhabi, guests arrive in the States as domestic passengers, saving valuable time upon arrival. Guests can simply collect their bags and go, or proceed seamlessly to their connecting flights. Etihad currently serves four U.S. destinations with nonstop flights to Boston, Chicago, New York, and Washington D.C. The airline will also launch services to Atlanta in July 2025, further strengthening its commitment to the North American market.

Philadelphia,December 17, 2024: Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) has been recognised amongst the 6 best airports in the US for finding good prices by Skyscanner. The airportcontinues to enhance its services with exciting new updates including the launch of Park PHL for improved parking, hosting the American Association of Airport Executives’ (AAAE) Arts in the Airport Workshop, and celebrating the importance of art in airport spaces. Park PHL launched Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) recently launched Park PHL, a new streamlined program for convenient parking in collaboration with the Philadelphia Parking Authority (PPA), offering online booking, prior on-site parking options, garage pre-booking, valet parking, and other options for travellers. With this, comes the airport’s first valet parking service, Park PHL Valet, launched on November 18 as well as Park PHL Economy, the program’s first phase for the Economy Parking Lot that kicked off on October 31.Park PHL allows travellers to reserve and pay in advance for parking at PHL’s Economy Parking Lot or avail of the new valet service.Park PHL Reserve is expected to expand in early 2025 and includes Park PHL Everyday utilizing the airport’s onsite garages. Learning and Networking Art Workshop In other updates, Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) recently hosted the American Association of Airport Executives’ (AAAE) Arts in the Airport Workshop, a longstanding association of more than two decades and the only event dedicated to airport art offering opportunities for learning and networking to professionals who oversee and manage art programs in airports. PHL has hosted three of these sessions, showcasing a meaningful connection between art and travel. The city of Philadelphia is widely known for its impressive street and public art and is home to over 30 universities, colleges, and renowned art schools. Philadelphia’s art community and background in education have helped foster a rich culture around art that attracts art lovers from around the world. The workshop at PHL showcased Philadelphia’s vibrant art with sessions at Percy Street Project, Tattooed Mom, and The Clay Studio. The workshop also included a PHL exhibition tour led by PHL Collections and Exhibitions Curator Helen Cahng that highlighted the importance of art in elevating airport spaces. Accolades In addition to these newly added services, Philadelphia International Airport is also considered among the 6 best airports in the US for finding good prices on flight tickets as per Skyscanner. A hub for both premium international airlines as well as low-cost carriers, PHL Airport is a priority choice, particularly for international travellers travelling to the East Coast.

New Delhi, 15th December, 2024: At the occasion of 100 years of glorious service of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport (NSCBI Airport), Kolkata, a logo was launched by the Union Minister of Civil Aviation, Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu.The event was graced by Vumlunmang Vualnam, Secretary, MoCA; Vipin Kumar, Chairman, Airports Authority of India (AAI) and other senior officials of MoCA and AAI. This exclusive logo celebrating 100 years of Kolkata Airport symbolizes the progressive spirit of the city and airport’s evolution as a sought-after aviation hub. Speaking at the logo unveiling ceremony, Hon’ble Civil Aviation Minister said, “This is a proud moment for all of us, where we are continuing the legacy built by our nation and drawing inspiration from it for future achievements. The airport has catered to crores of passengers and stood as a vital gateway for Bengal and the country through significant historical milestones. Our Hon’ble Prime Minister always says very dearly, ‘Vikas bhi, Virasat bhi’, so this is a proud moment for us.” He further added, “In the last ten years, especially for civil aviation, the way airports have expanded, the way passenger capacity has expanded, airline fleets have grown, and cargo operations have surged, all verticals related to civil aviation have pushed boundaries under the leadership of our Prime Minister. We are now the third largest domestic aviation hub in the whole world. And now, we need to take it forward, break barriers once again, level up the civil aviation sector, and achieve the goal of becoming the number one domestic hub in the world.” He also mentioned that as a part of the transformative initiatives by MoCA and AAI, a budget-friendly café named “UDAN YatriCafe” will be launched soon at the NSCBI Airport, Kolkata as a pilot project. The café will offer a curated menu with affordable pricing, ensuring that passengers have access to quality food at a cost-effective rate, enhancing their travel experience without compromising on value. A series of initiatives are also being planned including release of commemorative stamp and coin to honor the 100 years of Kolkata Airport; launch of coffee table book showcasing India’s cultural heritage reflected in modern airport architecture. Established in 1924 as Dum Dum Airport, Kolkata Airport pioneered Indian aviation by hosting the Bengal Flying Club (1929), India’s first jet service hub (1964) and opening its first dedicated airline cargo terminal in 1975. The Airport was renamed in 1995 as Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport to honor the revolutionary leader. A new integrated terminal building was inaugurated in 2013 where the architectural style blends this region’s heritage with modern amenities, cementing the Airport’s status as the gateway to east and northeast India.NSCBI Airport is equipped to serve 26 million passengers annually and caters to around 49 domestic and 15 International destinations. As the Kolkata airport is set to celebrate its centenary on 21st December, 2024, it symbolizes the city’s journey through a century of growth and transformation. From its humble origins to its place among the world’s great aviation hubs, Kolkata Airport has been a bridge between people, cultures, and nations.