What is so expensive about Tan Son Nhat airport's premium lounge?

(NLDO) - To provide high-class customer experience services such as airport lounges, businesses invest significant amounts of money...

After the Lao Dong Newspaper published the article "Earning hundreds of billions of dong by selling food, milk tea, duty-free goods..." on August 4, reflecting the bustling business activities at airports, especially Tan Son Nhat airport, a number of businesses spoke up to clarify the financial picture and cost structure in this field.

Sasco explains why Tan Son Nhat airport's luxury lounge is "worth every penny"

In particular, Tan Son Nhat Airport Services Joint Stock Company (Sasco, stock code: SAS) has had notable information about its business operations, especially its business lounge service, a high-end service segment that is misunderstood to have "light" operating costs.

Premium lounge at Tan Son Nhat airport

According to Sasco representative, the cost of the lounge segment in the second quarter of 2025 is only about 36 billion VND, mainly the cost of food and drinks served to customers in the lounge area. However, this is only the tip of the iceberg in the total operating cost. "The cost of raw materials is only a very small part of the operating structure of airport lounge services, which are high-end services, requiring strong investment in infrastructure, people and overall experience" - Sasco representative emphasized.

In fact, to establish and maintain business lounges at airports, companies have to make many long-term investments. These include the cost of renting premises in prime locations in the airport area, where passenger traffic is high, creating favorable conditions for accessing services. In parallel, there is the investment in modern equipment, luxurious design, quiet and comfortable space - the right standard of resting and working space for high-class passengers.

According to Sasco, a key factor determining the quality of the lounge service is the service staff. To maintain the level, the company must recruit and train staff thoroughly, from professional skills to service attitude, meeting international standards. The lounge system operates 24/7, so the costs of personnel, operations, maintenance, security, cleaning, etc. also account for a significant proportion.

Premium lounges are more than just dining

In addition, customers using the lounge service are not only served food and drinks, but also enjoy many accompanying amenities such as high-speed wifi, private offices, resting areas, luxury bathrooms, etc. All of these factors make the service price impossible to consider only on the value of a meal or a glass of water.

In response to concerns about the price of lounge services, Sasco affirmed that the unit had consulted the price level of competitors in the region and around the world before giving the final price. At the same time, the price is calculated based on the actual cost and the value of the experience that customers receive.

Sasco representative also emphasized that the company fully fulfills its tax and fee obligations as prescribed, contributing to the state budget revenue. "The lounge price is built transparently, reflecting the quality of service we provide," said the company representative.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/phong-cho-cao-cap-o-san-bay-tan-son-nhat-co-gi-ma-dat-xat-ra-mieng-196250806102510518.htm