Johannesburg – OR Tambo International Airport will soon be home to the first arrivals lounge in South Africa that is open to all travellers, regardless of airline or travel class.
Famed for its award-winning departure lounges at airports throughout the world, Menzies Aviation, whose VIP Shongololo departure lounge was recently voted the best lounge in the Africa/Middle East region, is the first private operator in the country to introduce an arrivals lounge.
The creation of the Sesfikile Premium Arrivals Lounge at O R Tambo, which opens in April, came after Menzies identified the need of international and business travellers to not only depart in style, but also to be able to freshen up and relax before the next leg of their journey, or for business meetings after tiring flights.
“Although arrivals lounges are a regular feature at many international airports, particularly in Europe and the USA, most South Africans and foreigners visiting the country have not yet had the chance to incorporate them into their itineraries.
"We believe the Sesfikile Lounge will rapidly become a popular destination at OR Tambo,” said Giles Wilson, Menzies senior vice-president for Africa, the Middle East and India.
Wilson said arrivals lounges were of particular benefit to long-haul business passengers, especially those from Europe, who needed to do business on the same day as their arrival in the country.
“It provides a vitally important opportunity to catch up on business and freshen up prior to important meetings. Most long-haul flights arrive in the morning. To save valuable business time and work around late morning check-ins offered by most hotels, arrivals lounges have become a convenient option.”
In the past, passengers had to make do with public restroom facilities and check their e-mails at noisy airport coffee shops, but the arrivals lounge would now enable them to freshen up in style and enjoy drinks and eats, as well as complimentary wi-fi.
The tranquil and elegant private shower and bathroom facilities, which would be serviced after each use, would further invigorate even the weariest traveller before they left for their next destination, said Wilson.
The Sesfikile Lounge will be adjacent to the SAA Arrivals Lounge at OR Tambo.
In addition to passengers who will be able to use it as part of their airline partners’ services, the Sesfikile Premium Arrivals Lounge will also be open to walk-in travellers.
“We intend to raise the bar in terms of the offering at arrivals lounges as we have done with Menzies’s departure lounges, which are renowned and recognised for their luxury throughout the world.
And as always, the real Menzies difference will be the superior quality of our service, which will ensure customer satisfaction owing to our fierce commitment to the highest standards,” Wilson said.
Natal Mercury