Want to party? Head to airport

When representatives of the Mumbai International Airport Limited (Mial) recently approached rock band Blakc for a live performance at the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (CSIA), the band members were surprised and elated at the same time.

“It is unusual for airports to hold a live rock show. And we were going to go down in history as the first band to play at an Indian airport,” says guitarist Anish Menon who, along with fellow band members Shawn Pereira, Shishir Thakur, Reinhardt Dias and Roop Thomas, performed recently at the Foodies Bar, a new lounge outside the domestic terminal 1A Arrivals.

A Mial spokessperson told DNA:  “We are trying to create a buzz about Foodies Bar as a preferred dining destination for passengers and city side customers.”

The rock show was a paid event attended by nearly 100 people and was designed to promote and create awareness about the offerings at CSIA. Also, the idea is to generate more revenue. “We foresee more customers, apart from passengers, visiting CSIA for leisure. This will certainly lead to more footfalls, leading to an increase in consumption and eventually higher sales,” the spokesperson said.

He added that Mial was looking at holding more such events on a frequent basis at CSIA. “The rock performance enjoyed a decent turnout. There were quite a few visitors from the city side.”

Following the event held earlier this month, the airport and Blakc have received enquires from other bands keen on performing in the airport premises. “Airports are no longer places from where you just fly out or fly in. Passengers, and those who come to see them off, are seeking more activities,” says Menon, adding that a live concert works well with the ambience and the mood at airports.