Pune: A new lounge was formally inaugurated at the Pune airport on Tuesday. Named Earth Lounge, it is located in the Security Hold Area on the first floor.

Casino Air Caterers & Flight Services (CAFS), which has presence in Cochin, Calicut, Chennai, Mangalore, Jaipur, Kannur, Ahmedabad and Coimbatore, will be running the facility.

“The lounge is in addition to an already available lounge by M/s Bird Catering & Lounges Pvt Ltd at the check-in area on the ground floor. This will be a good passenger facility in SHA area provided for the first time at Pune Airport,” said Pune Airport Director Ajay Kumar.

The lounge will be operational 24x7, can seat 80 guests at a time and can be accessed by business class passengers and privilege cardholders. It offers comfortable seating, Wi-Fi facility, newspapers/magazines, televisions, Flight Information Display Systems, disabled access, a selection of hot and cold snacks with CAFS specialities and a unique range of a combination of exclusive spirits and wine.

“We see great potential for catering to airlines as more Indians have begun to travel by air, especially from small cities. In addition to placing food on planes for passengers and crew, there is a demand for food prepared in hygienic standards meeting international HACCP specifications at airport lounges, snacks counters, railways, office complexes, educational institutions, etc,” said the CEO and Managing Director of CAFS, George Dominic.

VB Rajan, Chief Operating Officer of CAFS, said that Pune airport is now comparable with the best in the world in its lounge facilities and all airlines can now feel reassured that their first and business class passengers will not be at any disadvantage while flying out of Pune. 

“We will be open 24x7 and have imbibed the true CGH culture that has made it stand apart. The menu selection has been specially prepared to enhance guest experience and for the comfort of travellers,” he said.