Delhi's IGI airport gets new premium lounge for international flyers

Premium-class international passengers flying out of India will now have a more comfortable experience at Delhi airport's terminal 3 (T3) with the introduction of the "Encalm Prive" business class lounge. Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) has unveiled this new lounge facility to address the long queues and seat shortage issues that plagued T3 for the past few months due to a shortage of lounges.

The Encalm Prive lounge, currently spanning 22,000 square feet, will eventually expand to cover an impressive 30,000 square feet, making it the largest lounge facility in India. With this addition, two separate lounge facilities will be available for passengers, with Encalm Prive catering exclusively to business class and first-class travellers of partner airlines. DIAL, in a statement, said that credit card users can continue to enjoy lounge facilities at the food court level of T3, international, after the security hold area.

DIAL's CEO, Videh Kumar Jaipuriar, said: "DIAL is committed to enhancing the passenger experience. With this new lounge, the Delhi airport has significantly enhanced its lounge capacity and the quality of services and facilities."


The introduction of Encalm Prive comes after a brewing confrontation between airlines and DIAL over the lounge shortage issue. Many international airline lounges at T3 were closed during the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to difficulties once international travel resumed last year.

DIAL has outlined plans to further enhance the new lounge with additional amenities in the coming days. Passengers can look forward to a spa and fitness center, sleeping pods, nap rooms, a cigar room, a gaming zone, and express laundry and shower facilities. The lounge already offers lounge bays, a bar, a multi-cuisine buffet, live food counters, a kids' play area, a library, and a business center.

With the Encalm Prive lounge's introduction, Delhi Airport seeks to provide a more relaxing and convenient experience for premium-class travellers, ensuring that their journey starts on a positive note.