Pravat Paikray, Head of Airport F&B and Retail at Bengaluru International Airport, explains why modern airports are evolving into lifestyle destinations, how Bengaluru Airport is blending global luxury with local culture, and why the next five years could be a golden period for airport commerce in India
As airports across the world compete on experience rather than just infrastructure, Bengaluru International Airport has emerged as one of India’s most talked-about travel hubs. From Michelin-star chef restaurants and luxury retail to local brands, digital convenience and cultural storytelling, the airport is positioning itself as a destination in its own right. In this conversation with BW BusinessWorld, Pravat Paikray, Head of Airport F&B and Retail at Bengaluru International Airport, shares how the airport is reimagining travel through retail, dining and experiential spaces.
Airport retail and food & beverage offerings have evolved from ancillary services into major revenue drivers. What is fuelling this transformation?
Traditionally, airports were built to move people efficiently from point A to point B. Over the past two decades, changing consumer behaviour, globalisation and rising aspirations have transformed airports from transit hubs into lifestyle destinations.
Today, travellers expect shopping, dining, entertainment and memorable experiences. Airports in Europe, the Middle East, Japan and Korea have already made this shift, and India is now entering that phase. After airport privatisation, the focus moved beyond infrastructure and efficiency towards creating destinations beyond transit.
At Bengaluru Airport, our philosophy is simple: we don’t just want passengers to pass through; we want them to remember the experience.
How is Bengaluru Airport differentiating itself in this new experience economy?
We try to exceed what travellers expect from an airport. Internally, we think of ourselves less as an airport and more as a host. Passengers are our guests, and that changes the mindset completely.
One of our biggest strategies has been creating a mix of global icons and local heroes. We brought international brands such as Michelin-star chef restaurants, P.F. Chang’s and other global names to India through Bengaluru Airport. At the same time, we actively support local brands and artisans.
It is quite unique to see a luxury international brand sitting alongside a home-grown Indian brand in the same retail environment. That coexistence is intentional.
Passenger experience has become a key differentiator globally. What role do retail, dining and experiential spaces play in the traveller journey?
The traveller journey begins long before someone enters the terminal. We focus first on the functional experience — seamless check-in, security, baggage handling and digital processes such as DigiYatra and self-service systems.
Once the functional needs are taken care of, we move into the experience layer. We call this the experience economy.
For example, if a traveller has an hour, they can enjoy a full dining experience. If they are short on time, every restaurant offers grab-and-go options, and through our digital platform passengers can pre-order food and have it delivered to the gate. Lounge access can also be booked digitally.
The idea is to combine convenience with memorable experiences.
Bengaluru is hosting a major global airport hospitality event. What opportunities does this create for India?
It is a tremendous opportunity to showcase India’s scale, sophistication and consumer potential.
Five years ago, many global luxury brands were hesitant about the India story. Today, Bengaluru Airport has multiple luxury boutiques, and international brands increasingly view India as a strategic growth market.
Airports are economic gateways, and they are becoming powerful platforms to demonstrate that India can offer world-class infrastructure, retail and hospitality experiences at global standards.
What are the biggest trends you are seeing in airport retail today?
Three trends stand out. First, authenticity and cultural connection. Travellers no longer want a generic experience. They want local stories, local design, local food and a sense of place.
Second, sustainability. Younger travellers increasingly care about responsibly sourced products, reduced carbon footprints and socially inclusive businesses. Our partnership with Mitti Cafe, which provides employment opportunities for people with disabilities, is a good example.
Third, premiumisation and personalisation. Travellers are seeking unique, customised and higher-quality experiences. Whether it is gifting, dining or shopping, they want something that feels special and personal rather than mass-market.
Digital adoption is also accelerating rapidly, making omnichannel airport commerce increasingly important.
Looking ahead, what is your vision for airport retail in India over the next five years?
I genuinely believe the next five years will be a golden period for airport retail in India.
Airport capacity is expanding, air travel is growing rapidly and consumers are becoming more aspirational. The key challenge for airports will be creating experiences that feel exclusive, local and emotionally engaging rather than standardised.
Infrastructure and efficiency are increasingly becoming a given. What will truly differentiate airports is their ability to become cultural storytellers and emotional memory makers.
Travellers may forget their boarding gate or flight number, but they will remember how an airport made them feel — the coffee they had, the ambience they experienced, the local culture they discovered and the memories they created. That emotional connection is what will define the future of airport commerce.
