INDIA. Collinson, the global customer benefits and loyalty business and owners of airport experience programme Priority Pass, has announced its intention to triple its investment in India. It will double its lounge portfolio in India over the next three years, adding to its current portfolio of 45 airport lounges in 20 Indian cities.
The company said it will work with airports across the country to identify opportunities to open new exclusive lounges and airport amenities “to meet the growing demand of domestic and international travellers”.
The new developments will be overseen by Collinson’s wholly-owned and operated airport infrastructure business, Airport Lounge Development, which runs airport lounge spaces in the US and Europe, and is now bringing its business model to the Indian market.
A US$1 billion turnover company, Collinson has more than 30 years’ experience in the financial services and travel sectors, with partners that include American Express, Mastercard and Visa.
It added that its investment in Indian airport experiences is part of a global vision to enhance its offering to more than 30 financial services clients in India and more than 1,400 banks globally.
Collinson, which additionally works with more than 90 airlines on loyalty and experience programmes, also revealed it is in partnership discussions with several Indian technology service providers “to ensure it can deliver bespoke solutions in India”.
Collinson Joint CEO David Evans said: “India is a vital market and one we see on a par with China in terms of growth potential. With 1.7 billion domestic passengers having flown in 2017 and outbound travellers expected to reach 50 million by 2020, the influence of the Indian traveller is only going to increase.
“Having had success with emerging markets such as China, Russia and Brazil, and a presence in India for 15 years, working with 42 clients, it’s exciting to triple our investment in India.
“We look forward to building out our lounge inventory and our own airport infrastructure, creating more locally relevant propositions and further strengthening our team on the ground with additional skilled local resource, and partnering with Indian businesses to redefine the airport experience for the benefit of domestic and international travellers.”
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