So you’ve just touched down at Sydney Airport after an exhausting 20-hour-plus journey from New York or London. What do you want to do before anything else? Probably take a shower. But where? Enter Plaza Premium Group.
Departure lounges you know. But how familiar are you with arrival lounges? And are you aware of their availability at Australia’s busiest airport?
The only arrival lounge at Sydney Airport, PPG’s SYD arrival lounge recently celebrated its first birthday. And group founder and CEO Song Hoi See attended the celebration, as well as the opening of PPG’s lounge at Adelaide airport – the first independent lounge at ADL international.
“The arrival lounge is still a very new concept in this country,” Song tells Karryon in an interview in Sydney.
“So people don’t expect such a service. We hope to popularise this business concept, in other airports [in Australia] as well.
“Can you imagine … you arrive here, especially if you travel from London. You travel 16-17 hours. When you arrive, the first thing you want to do is have a hot shower. So that’s where we can provide them with that arrival.
“The arrival lounge is quite popular in other countries, but not in this part of the world.”
And if you think only international visitors are using this particular product, think again.
“Australian travellers are using the lounge,” Song says.
“It’s very important. Without the local nationality, I don’t think our concept will be successful.”
Located within Australia’s only in-airport hotel, Aerotel, PPG’s lounge has a seating capacity of around 30. And it’s open to any passengers.
25 years old
“When we started the first lounge in 1998, our intention was [to operate] an independent lounge … a lounge for everybody travelling by air, regardless of what airline you’re travelling, regardless of what class you’re travelling. So basically you can book in advance or you can walk in,” Song explains.
“Whatever we do, there are four elements we must make sure that we meet: first to provide convenience, provide comfort, provide value and provide our loving care to passengers.”
The Plaza Premium Group opened its first lounge in Australia 11 years ago in Brisbane. It followed those with facilities in Sydney, Melbourne and now Adelaide. But the group also manages airline, American Express, and other financial institutions’ lounges.
Beyond lounges
“So we are not only a lounge operator – we also extend our services … ranging from F&B, meet and greet services, and hotels. PPG is trying to provide end-to-end services,” Song says, describing it as a “360-degree” offering.
And it has more plans for Australia.
“We’re very bullish in Australian markets, especially … the kangaroo route. It is a very profitable and lucrative route. Every airline is trying to fight for that route,” the PPG boss tells Karryon.
“That’s why I’m here also, to see if there are any opportunities to expand further from what I already have at the moment.”
Australia’s only in-airport hotel just turned one, but you mightn’t even know it exists.
