IHG will open two hotels in Shanghai Pudong International Airport’s new terminal complex in 2024.
IHG signed an agreement on Monday December 16 with Shanghai International Airport, Shanghai Yukong Hotel Management, commercial developer Excellence Group and “environmentally-friendly” facility provider Masteck. These five companies will work together to operate the complex, which will consist of hotels, retail stores and offices.
The new terminal complex will be located between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, and will be connected to both terminals.
The new hotels will include an Intercontinental hotel and a Holiday Inn hotel, targeting luxury and mainstream segments respectively, said the hotel group. They will become the first international branded hotels at the airport when they open in 2024.
The two hotels, Intercontinental Shanghai Pudong Airport and Holiday Inn Shanghai Pudong Airport, are walking distance from the arrival hall.
“The Shanghai Pudong International Airport is one of world’s leading international airports, linking the gateway city Shanghai to the world. We are proud to be a part of the complex project, bringing two iconic brands as a flagship combo to a Chinese gateway airport,” said Jolyon Bulley, CEO of IHG Greater China.
Also commenting on the news, Jia Ruijun, vice president of Shanghai Airport Authority and chairman of Shanghai International Airport, said: “Shanghai Pudong International Airport have become made into ‘the Club’ of world’s largest hub airports with more than 74 million throughputs annually, covering an airline network around the world.
“We are delighted to introduce IHG’s well-known InterContinental and Holiday Inn brands that boast international branded standard to meet the growing demands from more travellers. Seen as the extended VIP lounge of Shanghai Pudong International Airport, the two hotels will also improve our competitive advantage and fuel the delivery of our strategy to build an international hub airport.”
Airport hotels usually offer convenience for travellers, especially those catching an early, late or connecting flight.
“After the two IHG hotels open, it is expected to see greater synergy generated by all the business sectors within the airport’s complex, meeting needs of accommodation, consumption, MICE and office space,” said IHG in a press release.
“As an increasing number of international and national conventions and exhibitions are expected to be held in Yangtze River Delta including Shanghai, the complex will further facilitate the development of Pudong Aviation Town as well as the demonstration plot of aviation economy.”
Earlier in September this year, Pudong Airport opened a satellite terminal building, which is billed as “the world’s largest satellite airport terminal”. Shanghai Airport Authority said the satellite terminal has been designed to “act as a transfer stop which can save passengers’ time in changing planes”.
In other news, Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport, the other of the two airports serving Shanghai, will also get a new airport hotel. Shangri-La will open a new hotel at Hongqiao Airport in 2023, which will feature elements of both Shangri-La Hotel and Traders Hotel brands.