Accor introduces the first 5-star hotel in Hyderabad Airport
Hyderabad International Airport Ltd (GHIAL), also known as Rajiv Gandhi International Airport , is now gearing up to launch an ' Integrated Airport City ', in line with international airports in Hong Kong and Dubai . The airport plans to induct various projects in and around the airport premises in the coming years. Recently, Accor Hospitality opened its second Novotel property in Hyderabad within the airport premises.
In continuation of its quest to introduce world-class airport services, GHIAL is looking at an 800 room inventory in the five-star category on the airport's premises. Viswanath Attaluri, Chief Commercial Officer, GHIAL said, "Since passenger numbers increase every month at the Hyderabad airport, we are considering one more five-star property at the airport." He continued that properties from the Taj Group and other hotel groups are coming up at a distance of seven to eight kms from the airport, but GHIAL is looking to enhance the passengers' experience through five-star hotels, service apartments and budget hotels in and around the airport. GHIAL is also looking at a convention hall with a capacity of around 4,000 - 4,200 within the airport premises.
Accor Hospitality flagged off its airport property in Hyderabad earlier this month. Featuring 305 rooms that includes one accessible room, the hotel has a premium executive floor, along with two restaurants, two bars, one 'Cabin crew lounge' and a conference hall (400 persons). On the recreational front, it offers a spa, beauty salon and 24x7 gymnasium. "Since Hyderabad is an emerging hub for business clients, we thought of housing a hotel at the airport. With Hyderabad 's increasing connectivity with international cities through various carriers, I think we are going to register good occupancy levels through out the year," said an official from Accor Hospitality.
Attaluri added, "We are looking to implant service apartments, budget hotels, a convention hall, golf course and the second five-star property in the airport premises. Plans are underway and we aim to make the airport a perfect business hub for international and domestic travellers." This shows that the airport is now focusing more on the non-aeronautical revenue streams. "Since the aeronautical revenues are regulated, this provides a (small amount of) profit margin for the airport. We started off with our UDF (User Development Fee) from August end this year, which will help lower our operational costs to some extent. To achieve good profit margins, we will focus on ancillary revenues, which will in turn benefit airport accessibility," said Attaluri.
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in India. To add to the experience, Hong-Kong based Plaza Premium Lounge will be operational from next month. The global lounge management company was awarded the agreement (last year) to manage all lounges at the Hyderabad airport. The lounge will have 24 rooms, wherein a passenger can book a room on an hourly basis. "These lounges will be preferred by clients who do not have plans for overnight stay. We still have to take decisions on the tariff structure, but otherwise the lounge is ready," said Attaluri. The lounge will have facilities like a business centre, self service buffet counters, bars, limousine services, gymnasium, shower facilities and napping areas, along with massage services.
Attaluri also informed that there are plans to open up a 24x7 shopping mall outside the airport. A recent report by Indian brokerage Edelweiss Securities titled 'Airports: Wings of Growth' suggests that the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) has taken some measures to help key airport locations (such as Delhi and Bangalore ) to develop into integrated airport cities, along with the Hyderabad airport.