Bringing India’s best to the skies with TajSATS
This is a special feature from PAX International's May 2024 WTCE issue, on page 78.
TajSATS staff produces more than 150,000 meals per day, amounting to 45 million meals per year
Growing pains are common among rapidly expanding enterprises and the inflight industry is not immune to this phenomenon. Companies that scale at a rate that not only allows them to maintain momentum but excel beyond initial projections stand a good chance to build a successful empire. TajSATS Air Catering Limited is one such example of this aspirational business journey.
With eight units spanning India— Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkata, Amritsar and two kitchens in the state of Goa—the onboard caterer is making its mark in Asia’s competitive inflight industry. A joint venture of The Indian Hotels Company Limited and SATS Limited of Singapore, the company leverages its 40-plus years of experience in the commercial catering business while proudly benefiting from its membership within the Tata Group, one of the country’s largest conglomerates.
Expanding and thriving with the supportive backing of an Indian business leader, TajSATS has signed with Noida International Airport to develop a kitchen, bringing the total to nine operational units across the country.
Major growth expected
Manish Gupta,
CEO, TajSATS
TajSATS places the airline passenger
experience above all, without sacrificing quality in the process. The company
puts its home territory at the forefront,
especially in the face of increasing local and international travel.
“The travel and tourism business is emerging as a major growth engine
for the Indian economy,” says TajSATS
CEO Manish Gupta. “People are once again flying in great numbers; airports
are crowded and we are well poised
to handle the growth in demand.”
He reports that the caterer has been able to double its numbers in the past three years, and it has plans to continue that astronomic growth for the next three to five years.
Food safety and
sustainable eats
“We are industry leaders in food safety
standards and follow all international and local processes mandated
by various government and airline
bodies,” explains Gupta. “All kitch-
ens are halal certified as well.”
In addition, TajSATS is the only air catering company in India to provide kosher meals to its airline customers. It strives to meet other dietary requirements that are increasing in popularity, such as vegan, gluten-free and sugar-free.
TajSATS has signed with Noida International Airport to develop a kitchen, bringing the total to nine operational units across India
The volume of high-quality meals that are created in TajSATS kitchens each day is astounding. Its staff produces more than 150,000 meals per day, amounting to an impressive 45 million meals per year—a number that continues to grow, year over year.
Growing alongside this number is the caterer’s customer base. It currently serves more than 40 international and domestic airlines, such as American Airlines, Qantas, Singapore Airlines, All Nippon Airways, British Airways, Japan Airlines, KLM, Saudia, Malaysian Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Air France and Korean Air.
“Quite a few of these airlines have exclusive contracts with us at all locations,” notes Gupta.
TajSATS has pioneered many eco-friendly initiatives and takes pride in the strategic social, environmental and ethical principles that drive its business. According to Gupta, these factors are “central to improving the quality of life of the communities” the company serves.
Solar and wind energy play an important role in its manufacturing processes. The Chennai and Bengaluru units exclusively use green energy to operate. Sustainable packaging has also been implemented across some of TajSATS airline partners, along with the recycling of its dry waste.
“We treat and recycle water to have major savings of this vital resource,” explains Gupta.
