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Alpha signs for Sharjah, eyes India In early October, Alpha Airport Services signed a 10-year contract to cater flights and provide ancillary services at Sharjah International Airport. At almost the same time, the UK caterer and retail supplier signed a memorandum of understanding with a company to explore options for catering and travel retail business at leading Indian airports. The agreement with Sharjah International Airport takes in exclusive flight catering supply for the business and first class lounges. Alpha will open one of its World News Cafés Alpha estimates the deal will take in £5 million (US$9.2 million) per year and cement its relationship with low-cost carrier Air Arabia, which is located in Sharjah. Alpha started its operation in the Middle East when it took over the old Royal Jordanian unit in Amman five years ago. The agreement for business in India has far reaching implications. Alpha has a joint venture with Pantaloon Retail (India) Ltd. For now, the two parties are focusing on retailing and food and beverage operations in Bangalore, Hyderabad and Dehli. The Indian government is considering privatization of airports in Chennai and Kolkata. Alpha currently has a duty free shop at Cochin International Airport and at Colombo Airport in Sri Lanka. More than 90 percent of India’s total traffic is through its top 10 airports with international traffic growing at 15 percent and domestic traffic growing at 28 percent last year, says Alpha, in a release on the new venture. Alpha’s partner, Pantaloon Retail is the largest retailer in India with more than 100 outlets across the country that generates sales of U.S.$440 million covering several different retail mixes. |
