Gate Gourmet to buy units in five German cities

Five airline-catering units, serving approximately 18,000 flights per year, will be bought by Gate Gourmet, the caterer announced May 6.

Air Berlin and SCK Sky Catering Kitchen GmbH own the five kitchens. The largest unit in Düsseldorf caters approximately 10,000 flights per year. The other kitchens are located in Cologne/Bonn, Münster/Osnabrück, Leipzig/Halle and Paderborn.

The five-city operation is named SCK DUS & Co. KG Düsseldorf and is a joint venture between Air Berlin and SCK Sky Catering Kitchen GmbH Bordverflegung & Co Service KG Ulm. The company will continue to operate units in several other German cities.

In addition to the purchase, Air Berlin has signed a new long-term catering contract with Gate Gourmet for Germany and the rest of Europe.

“They are an important strategic addition to our network, and we see them as a key acquisition in our long-term strategy to secure Gate Gourmet’s position in the German airline catering market,” said Guy Dubois, president and CEO designate of gategroup, the umbrella brand representing Gate Gourmet and its 10 other brands.

No terms of the agreement were announced. The purchase is subject to review by competition authorities in Germany.