New open-air lounge bar opens at Kochi airport

NEDUMBASSERY: Kochi international airport has become unique in the state with an exclusive open-air lounge bar, ‘Fire Fly,’ set up on the second floor of the international departure terminal providing facility to the outgoing  passengers.Airport director ACK Nair inaugurated the lounge bar at the airport here on Thursday. The ‘Fire Fly’ is a dream project of CAFS (Casino Aviation Flight Services), an associate of CGH Earth Experience Hotels. The lounge bar has 2000 square feet covered area and 3000 square feet garden area. “It will be the first of its kind in Kerala. The CAFS is trying to launch another lounge bar for domestic passengers, similar to the airports in Chennai, Mumbai, Bangalore and Delhi,” CGH Earth managing director  George Dominic said. The international passengers, who complete the clearance procedure from Ground Handling, Immigration and Customs Departments are forced to sit in the departure for at least a couple of hours. Many of them get liquor from the duty-free shop and consume it secretly in toiets.  Around 3000 passengers leave the country through the airport every day. The outgoing passengers are delighted to have the new facility in Kochi airport.  They can relax in the bar comfortably and consume liquor and food at affordable prices. The lounge bar will function round the clock on all days. It offers all types of liquor and crafted coffee, the beans of which will be roasted with aroma and flavour blending with the ambiance in and around the ‘Fire Fly’, George Dominic added. The lounge bar was commissioned after a long effort. It is not a bar but a world class relaxing area for passengers and their families, said CAFS general manager V B Rajan. The ‘Fire Fly’ will function as a facilitator to all the passengers giving a last touch of hospitality before leaving the country. CGH Earth vice-president (business division) G Premanath was also present at the press meet.