BRAZIL. Independent lounge services provider Plaza Premium Group has entered the South American market at Rio de Janeiro Tom Jobim International Airport. The company has opened three pay-in airport lounges and a transit hotel, as well as operating the new Star Alliance lounge.
RIOgaleão, the managing company of Rio Airport, marked the grand opening of the Plaza Premium Lounge and Aerotel at the weekend.
Plaza Premium Founder & CEO Song Hoi-see said: “We are very excited to have our South American airport lounge and transit hotel debut in Brazil. It marks another milestone in the history of Plaza Premium Group to transform the stay at the airport in an amazing way, above travellers’ expectations, with seamless connectivity without restrictions, bringing added value, convenience, comfort, love and care to our travellers. We look forward to the long-term partnership with RIOgaleão to create premium airport services without boundaries.”
RIOgaleão President Luiz Rocha said that “our partnership with Plaza Premium Group represents the evolution and modernisation of RIOgaleão. Nowadays, RIOgaleão provides one of the most complete airport services in the worldwide arena.”
The units, located in Terminal 2, measure 1,300sq m, 950sq m and 350sq m respectively. They are situated in the international departures pier (airside), the domestic departures pier (airside) and in the car parking building (landside).
The lounges, which have a combined seating of 570, are said to feature a strong Sense of Place in their designs. There is a local ‘Carioca’ look to the furniture, murals, carpets and graffiti artwork, said to evoke the Copacabana beach and other landscapes of the city.
The food & beverage offer includes hot and cold delicacies at the buffet counters and live cooking stations.
The lounge offers international newspapers and magazines and multinational TV channels. There are also complimentary Wi-Fi, electrical outlets, USB sockets plus meeting and VIP rooms.
Located on level 3 of the international departures pier (airside) in T2, Aerotel Rio de Janeiro spans over 2,000sq ft and houses 16 guestrooms. It has also incorporated local elements in its design.
In related news, Plaza Premium Group has partnered with Star Alliance to manage and operate its new Alliance Lounge at the same airport.
Plaza Premium offers design, construction, hospitality, bar, catering, front-of-house and housekeeping services to Star Alliance. Made-to-order dishes are also provided at the lounge for Star Alliance Gold status holders, as well as member airlines’ First and Business Class passengers.
Located in the international departures pier (T2), the 600sq m lounge offers more than 150 seats. Plaza Premium Group appointed architectural firm Mitchel Squires & Associates to design this new lounge. It is said to be in keeping with the design concept of Star Alliance lounges, the natural resources in Brazil and the architectural heritage of Rio de Janeiro.
Star Alliance CEO Mark Schwab said: “The Star Alliance lounge concept has proved hugely popular with the many customers who want to relax before their flight in an exclusive area that has been specifically designed to meet the needs of today’s international frequent traveller.”
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