Quintessentially Aviation to open lounge targeting Middle Eastern VIPs
2012-07-21 — /travelprnews.com/ — Shannon Airport is delighted to announce that Quintessentially Aviation, the aviation wing of the world’s leading luxury lifestyle group Quintessentially, is to develop its first Irish VIP lounge at Shannon Airport.
Contracts for the investment were signed last week at the second annual ‘Irish Business Aviation Convention’ hosted jointly by Shannon Airport and Shannon Development at Dromoland Castle Hotel.
Quintessentially will use the service as its flagship for corporate jet traffic operated from the world’s most exclusive private/corporate jet airport, Al Bateen Airport in Abu Dhabi, which is the Middle East region’s only dedicated private jet airport.
The investment by Quintessentially Aviation will result in Shannon Airport being heavily marketed for its US preclearance facility into this are of the Middle East, which will attract private and corporate jet operators and owners to Shannon for transit stops en route to the US.
Shannon Airport is the only airport in the world that offers a US preclearance service for business aviation.
The state-of-the-art Al Bateen Airport facility offers opulent executive lounges, full conference facilities, efficient turnarounds, spacious hangar parking, as well as a convenient gateway to the UAE and the region.
Announcing the deal, Quintessentially Aviation Chief Operating Officer Brendan McQuaind said: “Quintessentially Aviation already operates a concierge service within the British Airways first class lounge at Heathrow Airport and we will deliver the same level of service here at Shannon International Airport for our Middles Eastern clients travelling to the US.
“The US preclearance facility for business aviation at Shannon is a unique offering that will enable our Middle Eastern clients to not just make their necessary transit stop but to also fully pre-clear at Shannon. This will allow them to land at any of over 200 domestic airports rather than deal with congestion normally associated with having to clear on arrival in the US at international airports.
“This is the type of preferential service we provide for our clients and we will be looking to other markets beyond the Middle East in due course.”
Said Shannon Airport Director Mary Considine: “Having such a recognised global brand as Quintessentially Aviation commit to this investment at Shannon Airport is a really significant vote of confidence in our unique business aviation offering.
“US preclearance services was key to securing this investment but Shannon’s international reputation for handling corporate jets and our back up maintenance, repair and overhaul services gives the type of confidence to Quentessentially Aviation that they want for their corporate and private jet clients from the Middle East and elsewhere.
“Not alone should this result in extra business for Shannon from this area of our operations but it will result in more of the highest net-worth individuals in the world transiting our airport. This, in turn, will enable Ireland Inc to sell itself to this very important market.”
Quintessentially Aviation is at an advanced stage of establishing its EMEA operations in Al Bateen Airport due to the increased demand for corporate aviation services in the Middle East region. Al Bateen airport has welcomed the marketing of the services of Shannon airport and has offered Quintessentially Aviation full support in getting set up and to market the service due to the increased traffic departing from Abu dhabi to USA.
QA will market the new lounge and service to Private jet owners and charter companies in the middle east and also central Europe and hope to increase the 4,500 annual jet movements currently coming through Shannon.
About Quintessentially
Quintessentially is the world’s leading luxury lifestyle group. Founded as a private members’ club and concierge service, the Quintessentially Group now encompasses 33 sister companies including property, events, wine, art consultancy and more.
Founded in the UK in 2000, we currently have operations in 66 cities worldwide.
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