Air France Petroleum Club proves popular

More than 15,000 oil and gas professionals worldwide have signed up for Air France's Petroleum Club, which offers incentives and discounts to anyone involved in the industry.

Dubai is one of the designated "oil routes" which qualify members for benefits by taking at least one round trip flight a year on the sector.

Last year, some 1,500 workers in oil, gas and related industries in the Middle East used the service which offers hotel discounts, complimentary meals, privileged check-ins, and special lounges among other attractions.

Corinne Jeanette, the Petrol-eum Club's Paris-based manager, when asked how they define oil and gas-related workers for membership, told Gulf News that the club is flexible and considers any application.

For instance, would somebody supplying laundry services or food catering to oil companies qualify?

"Certainly. As long as they work with oil or gas companies and make one trip a year on the oil route, we would accept them," she said.

Most of the club's services are available around the world, in any location where oil and gas is produced, including Africa, the Americas, Asia and the Pacific, and of course the Middle East.

But it is at Paris Charles-de-Gaulle Airport, where Air France operates a super-efficient hub that connects flights from all over the globe, that the main thrust of the club is felt.

There, it maintains a 24-hour club lounge at the upscale Roissy Sofitel hotel at the airport. Transiting oil and gas workers have the use of swimming pool, sauna and showers.

Those waiting more than three hours for a connection get a complimentary meal in the Sofitel's brasserie restaurant - or in any listed restaurant at the airport. A second meal is free to those with more than six hours between flights.

There is a discount of up to 60 per cent on rooms at the Roissy Sofitel, and a 10 per cent discount on meeting rooms. The club also has a list of partners offering discounts to members.

Charles-de-Gaulle airport and six others world wide have dedicated Petroleum Club check-ins. At others, members can fast track through the first class "L'espace" counter.

Said Jeanette: "The club is growing from strength to strength, and is proving very popular with oil and gas professionals in the Gulf.