Priority Pass, the world’s leading independent airport lounge program, announces that 2010 saw faster expansion in the number of lounges available to members than any previous year.
A total of 82 new lounges were added to the program during 2010, with particular emphasis on the world’s economic growth areas such as China, India and Brazil.
“Ours is a global business with millions of members from all corners of the world,” explained Jonathan French, Head of Brand at Priority Pass, “and, as such, we ensure we react to shifting patterns of air travel and ensure we have lounges where our members need them.”
During 2010, Priority Pass added 8 new lounges in China, bringing the total there to 52, as well as 11 in India (making a total of 26) and 8 in Brazil (making a total of 17), reflecting the strong increase in air travel in those areas.
Elsewhere, there were also key additions, including several new lounges in the UK, such as The Escape Lounge at Manchester, the No.1 Stansted Lounge and also lounges through new partner airline, Flybe. The Finnair Lounge at Helsinki is already proving a very popular addition.
The new year is already seeing exciting growth, with 7 new additions in January, including the British Airways Galleries Lounge at Washington Dulles, the International Lounge in Las Vegas, and a first lounge for the programme in New Zealand, at Wellington.
“This is an exciting time for our business,” concluded French, “with more lounges, more lounge visits and more members than ever before. We will continue to try to ensure the maximum possible lounge coverage so that our members will always have a lounge available wherever they travel.”