Kumari Palany & Co

Collinson triples its investment in India to redefine the airport experience

Posted on: 09/Jul/2019 4:55:07 PM
Collinson, a global leader in customer benefits and loyalty, has announces a multi-million-dollar investment into India to fuel additional growth of Priority Pass, its world-leading airport experiences programme. Priority Pass will double its lounge portfolio in India over the next three years, building on its suite of 45 airport lounges in 20 Indian cities and global network of more than 1,200 lounges and airport experiences.
 
Collinson’s wholly-owned and operated airport infrastructure business, Airport Lounge Development (ALD), is also working with airports across India to identify opportunities to open its own exclusive lounges and airport amenities to meet the growing demand of domestic and international travellers. ALD is an established leader in the airport lounge space in the US and Europe and is now bringing its successful business model to the Indian market.
 
As a privately-owned, $1bn company, Collinson has more than 30 years’ experience delivering customer benefits and loyalty to some of the world’s leading brands within the financial services and travel sectors, including American Express, Mastercard and Visa. 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 – all of whom rely on Collinson products to acquire and retain the most lucrative of customers – the high spending traveller.
 
Collinson is also in partnership discussions with several innovative Indian technology service providers to ensure it can deliver bespoke solutions in India.
 
David Evans, Joint CEO of Collinson 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 20171 and outbound  travellers expected to reach 50 million by 20202, 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.”