gategroup strategizes untapped potential across APME
This is a special feature from PAX International's November 2024 FTE APEX Asia Singapore issue.
Nigel Everard, Regional President APME, gategroup (left) and Franck Bouat, Chief Commercial Officer APAC & Managing Director Asia, gategroup
In its quest to enhance its position in the Asia Pacific and Middle East regions, gategroup is amplifying its focus on partnerships, operational excellence and sustainable practices.
Nigel Everard, Regional President APME, and Frank Bouat, Chief Commercial Officer, APAC & Managing Director Asia, recently shared insights on the company’s strategic direction, emphasizing a commitment to evolving passenger expectations and meeting the unique demands of these rapidly growing markets.
According to Bouat, gategroup sees untapped potential across Asia Pacific and Middle Eastern countries. To address this, gategroup is committed to reinforcing its footprint by strategically expanding and enhancing offerings across key markets, he tells PAX International.
Scaling up in Asia
In Japan, the company is scaling its production at Narita and Haneda airports while strengthening partnerships with local suppliers to bring more sustainable options to the market.
In the Greater China region, gategroup is preparing for a travel resurgence by increasing production capacity in Hong Kong and Macau. Similarly, in South Korea, a joint venture with Asiana Airlines has brought remarkable growth, which Bouat attributes to targeted capital expenditure projects.
“Our state-of-the-art unit has seen remarkable growth, winning new contracts with several new customers,” he says. He praises the performance of gategroup’s Korean operations in managing increased demand without compromising quality.
Memorable meals
As passenger tastes evolve, gategroup is integrating local flavours and high-quality ingredients, especially in premium cabins where travellers expect a memorable experience.
Bouat remarks on increasing demand for healthier meals and visual aesthetics, saying, “We are observing a strong shift towards healthier, high-quality food options, along with a growing demand for meals designed to accommodate allergy and health requirements.”
This trend aligns with the company’s partnerships with carriers such as Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines and Thai Airways, where gategroup emphasizes culinary storytelling to engage passengers through ingredients that reflect regional traditions.
Middle East: The growth frontier
The Middle East also represents an exciting growth frontier, with Emirates, Etihad and Qatar Airways pushing the boundaries of inflight experiences.
Everard highlights gategroup’s recent collaboration with Qatar Aircraft Catering Company (QACC) as a significant step in bolstering its Middle East presence.
“Our focus is on elevating Qatar Airways’ already award-winning inflight dining experience by setting new benchmarks in quality, sustainability and fine dining at 35,000 feet,” says Everard. The partnership leverages gategroup’s global chef network to bring innovative, quality-focused menus that appeal to discerning travellers.
Sustainability central to the mission
Sustainability initiatives are central to gategroup’s vision for the Asia Pacific and Middle East regions, reflecting a commitment to responsible sourcing and waste reduction. In Japan, gategroup collaborates with local farmers to source fresh produce, ensuring high quality and traceability.
In Australia, menus incorporate native ingredients, such as bush herbs and superfoods, appealing to health-conscious passengers. Everard explains that these initiatives align closely with airline sustainability goals, allowing gategroup to set ambitious targets, such as transitioning to fully reusable, recyclable or compostable packaging by next year.
He notes, “As part of our sustainability roadmap, we are setting key targets for 2025: sourcing only cage-free eggs, transitioning to 100 percent reusable, recyclable or compostable packaging, and phasing out single-use plastics.”
Through expanding culinary offerings and sustainable practices, gategroup is well-positioned to capture opportunities in the dynamic Asia Pacific and Middle East regions. By focusing on innovation and partnerships, the caterer aims to support its airline customers in delivering an elevated dining experience that creates lasting memories for passengers.
