airport lounge access

Rs97Cr Facility To Open With Delhi, Mum Links

Air India has significantly reduced its flight schedule, cancelling around 200 weekly services from June to August due to soaring jet fuel prices and a depreciating rupee. These cuts follow previous reductions and aim to combat substantial losses. The airline is also exploring cost-saving measures like making meals optional on certain flights and unbundling lounge access for business class passengers.

Indian aviation faces unprecedented turbulence due to a perfect storm of factors. From pandemic fallout and engine failures to airspace closures and a Middle East war driving fuel prices sky-high, airlines are struggling. Passengers face rising fares and cancelled routes as the sector grapples with deep financial distress and operational chaos.

Air India is exploring unbundling meals and lounge access on domestic and short international flights to combat rising costs. Passengers could see ticket prices reduced by opting out of these services. This move aims to address the financial strain from increasing fuel prices and a depreciating rupee, while acknowledging India's price-sensitive market.

Some of the changes affect credit card users, FASTag subscribers, RuPay debit cardholders. Here are some of the key revisions scheduled for implementation from the start of the new financial year.

India's digital payments are getting a security boost from April 1 with stricter RBI authentication rules, requiring two-factor verification for all transactions to combat rising fraud. Beyond digital payments, changes affect credit cards, FASTags, RuPay cards, PAN applications, and banking services, alongside a new income tax framework, aiming for a safer financial ecosystem.

There are numerous credit cards in India that offer complimentary or discounted access to airport lounges, providing swankier waiting areas, refreshments, and Wi-Fi. HDFC Bank and SBI were among the key providers with distinct benefits. As this perk became less accessible, cardholders were advised to verify eligibility and understand terms to avoid unexpected inconveniences.

The National Payments Corporation of India announces free airport lounge access at IGI Airport's T3 for select RuPay cardholders, effective January 1, 2025. The access will be tiered based on quarterly spending, ranging from two complimentary visits to unlimited, enhancing traveler comfort with diverse amenities.

Major Indian airports are poised to revamp lounge experiences by bypassing aggregators and directly partnering with banks. This shift aims to streamline entry, reduce queues, and offer differentiated services based on credit card status.

Lounge access at Adani Group airports in Mumbai and Ahmedabad has been restored after DreamFolks Services Ltd resolved integration issues. Meanwhile, disruptions persist at Chennai and Kolkata airports due to service problems with DreamFolks. Travel Food Services is collaborating with banks to restore services for affected passengers as soon as possible.

Last weekend, many flyers took to social media saying they were denied lounge access. While airport operators blamed aggregator DreamFolks, the latter said it was diligently working with partners to identify the root cause. Is there more to this than meets the eye?

DreamFolks collaborates with Grey Wall, an airport and lounge service aggregator in Russia, to enhance the travel experience for passengers. The partnership offers comprehensive coverage across Russia, including key locations like Moscow and St. Petersburg. Travelers can now access around 100 lounges through DreamFolks' proprietary tech platform. The alliance benefits both entities by increasing footfall at Grey Wall's lounges and providing seamless access to airport lounges for DreamFolks' clients. DreamFolks manages airport lounge benefits for top banks in India and has a market share of over 90% in the domestic lounge access market.

Adani Airports is now offering passengers the convenience of booking lounge access directly through its website, eliminating the need for third-party platforms. This initiative, spearheaded by CEO Arun Bansal, aims to streamline the lounge booking process across Adani's eight airports in India. The move reflects Adani's commitment to digital innovation and enhancing customer experience.