SSP debuts in New Zealand
Dominic Cain, General Manager, SSP Australia (left) and Justin Watson, Chief Executive of Christchurch Airport
SSP Group has won an eight-year contract to run five outlets at Christchurch International Airport (CHC). This marks SSP’s first foray into the New Zealand market, expanding its presence in the Asia Pacific region, the March 4 press release said.
The brand line-up is yet to be announced, but SSP Group says it will bring a fresh approach to food and beverage at the airport, featuring concepts developed in close partnership with the Christchurch team to showcase local brands. SSP’s presence at CHC will include a bespoke café, a bar and casual dining offer and a quick service restaurant. Digital touchscreens and order-at-table options will be available for travellers’ convenience.
“This is an important part of our wider refresh of our food and beverage offering, to give us a suite of offerings to meet all our customer needs. It is important to have a range of great modern food and beverage options to reflect not only the broad international spectrum of our customers, but also their tastes and preferences. We see SSP as a strong fit for us, backed by a proven track record of delivering wonderful offerings including in several large Australian airports,” said Justin Watson, Chief Executive of Christchurch Airport.
The news of this expansion comes after SSP signed a deal to extend its presence in Australia earlier this year with the proposed acquisition of ARE.
“The Asia Pacific region offers a significant opportunity to build returns and drive growth, and this deal is a fantastic foundation for our operations in a truly exciting territory. We will be working in close collaboration with the airport to create sustainable offers that excite and delight our customers. Our global perspective coupled with our strong local expertise was also instrumental in winning this prestigious new contract, and we very much look forward to developing our operations here in Christchurch and beyond,” said Jonathan Robinson, CEO of SSP Asia Pacific.
