CHINA. Airport hospitality service provider Plaza Premium Group has introduced what it calls its first “land-to-air” premium airport experience in joint venture with Qingdao International Airport Group and Capital Airport VIP Service Management Co. Ltd.
It features a range of integrated services and facilities at Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport, China’s newest major airport, which opened on 12 August. These include four Plaza Premium Lounges, one Aerotel and VIP services including private meeting rooms, meet-and-greet, kerb-to-apron escort services and fast track immigration clearance.
The services are available in a three-storey VIP Building located at the arrivals area and three Plaza Premium Lounge outlets in departures. Covering a total 6,500sq m, the multi-complex VIP Building offers end-to-end airport hospitality services from dining, lounging, meet-and-greet to personalised concierge and accommodation.
The tri-party joint venture said it aims to bring “world-class airport hospitality to China’s new major aviation hub”. The airport terminal spans 478,000sq m and is equipped to host over 35 million travellers annually.
Plaza Premium Group Founder & CEO Song Hoi-see thanked Qingdao International Airport Group and Capital Airport VIP Service Management for their trust and partnership.
He said: “The Qingdao project showcases how Plaza Premium Group’s offering has evolved beyond lounge and traditional airport services, towards an end-to-end airport hospitality experience to serve the evolving needs of travellers in today’s new travel landscape.
“This project that we have spearheaded demonstrates that diversification in the industry is necessary and we look forward to offering this holistic support service to more airports globally in the future. Furthermore, Qingdao marks the group’s first presence in the Eastern China region – we are thrilled to expand our presence in Mainland China, a market that we value and are dedicated to meeting the needs of.”
Land-to-Air Experience: Key details of the VIP Building
Level 1 houses 11 VIP rooms that offer spaces for corporations to provide private and premium airport services to affluent travellers. Services include private check-in, concierge, dining, lounge, and a special fast track or kerb-to-apron service for those departing from the Domestic Terminal.
Level 2: Plaza Premium Lounge’s 2,673sq ft lounge includes three private dining areas, three tea rooms, an Aerobar, massage service, concierge, VIP meeting rooms, individual work stations and a souvenir shop.
Level 3: Aerotel Qingdao is located on the third floor of the VIP Building and within a five-minute walk to the nearest security checkpoint. It has 54 rooms across three suite types. On the first and second floors of the building, guests can take advantage of the extensive leisure facilities inside the Plaza Premium Lounge, and dine in the restaurant that serves a mix of local and international food options.
Departures Experience
At the new airport, travellers have access to three pay-per-use Plaza Premium Lounges located on the airside third floor of Terminal 1, situated near the boarding gates, as well as on the East and West sides of the Central Landscape Area respectively. The lounges offer fast track services, food & beverage options, showers, private resting areas, massage and beauty services, and VIP meet and greet.
In the past two years Plaza Premium Group has extended its presence in China, opening Aerotel at Beijing Daxing International Airport and more recently its first high-speed railway lounges in Changsha, Guangzhou and Shenzhen.
About Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport
The newly opened Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport, located in Shandong Province, is operated by Qingdao Airport Group. It replaces Qingdao Liuting International Airport.
According to respected Chinese news agency Xinhua, under a US$5.5 billion investment, the new airport has an annual passenger capacity of 35 million, with the ability to handle 300,000 aircraft take-offs and landings by 2025. In later phases, passenger throughput will reach 55 million with 452,000 aircraft take-offs and landings possible by 2045.
Qingdao Jiaodong is also capable of handling the largest classes of aircraft including the Airbus A380.
The airport will connect Qingdao with about 130 domestic destinations, and around 50 major overseas cities, including 17 in Japan and Korea, noted Xinhua.
As part of a comprehensive transportation network, the airport offers passengers access to the metro and high-speed rail services.
