Parts of domestic and international lounges at Bengaluru International Airport will remain shut from June 1, announced the authorities. The airport is commencing refurbishment works, and this can take up to March 2021.
"The refurbishment of the lounges will take in two phases across 18-20 months," Bengaluru International Airport said in a statement released. The airport has four lounges, two in international security hold area (SHA) and the other two in domestic SHA.
Our vision is to improve lounge facilities to enhance the on-ground travel experience of our passengers. The new lounge concept is aimed at providing the ultimate hospitality experience, said Kenneth R, chief commercial officer, BIAL.
The Plaza premium lounges in the international and domestic SHAs will not be available for services between April 1 to March 31, 2021. The AGL (above-ground level) lounge in domestic and international security hold area will be shut from June 1 till April 30, 2020. AGL lounge accepts walk-in guests, Priority Pass cardholders, MasterCard Club members and Diners Club Card holders.
Also Read: Kempegowda International Airport to Roll Out Paperless Biometric Self-Boarding by Q3 2019
Fire at Bengaluru International Airport
Meanwhile, last Wednesday, a fire that broke out inside a restaurant near the parking area of the airport created panic among the people. The incident occurred at the early hours of Wednesday, 29 March 2019, but no casualties are reported. The event also did not cause any hurdle for the airport operations. Although there is no confirmed report about the cause of the fire, it is assumed that a short circuit inside the restaurant trigged the fire. The investigation is underway.
It is the second fire incident at Bengaluru International Airport this year. In January 2019, a similar incident occurred on the airfield side of the airport. The authorities then claimed short circuit as the reason for the fire and claimed it as a ‘minor fire’. The fire was extinguished in seven minutes.
Bengaluru International Airport recently completed 11 years of service. It is the third busiest airport in India.
Also Read: Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport Turns 11