Asia-Pacific And Middle-East Inflight Catering Market

APAC & Middle East Inflight Catering Market Analysis

The Asia-Pacific And Middle-East Inflight Catering Market size is estimated at USD 8.23 billion in 2025, and is expected to reach USD 13.29 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 10.05% during the forecast period (2025-2030).

Growing air traffic in the Asia-Pacific and Middle East has increased emphasis on additional amenities like onboard dining. Owing to this, regional airlines are increasing investments in inflight catering. Introducing new menus and new dining concepts, such as an onboard chef in first—and business-class airlines, to improve the passenger experience is anticipated to accelerate the market's growth.

An increase in the cost of inflight food posed challenges for the in-flight catering service market to work properly. Hence, the high cost associated with the supply chain and food service is also hindering effective growth to a great extent in the forecast period. Transportation of food and low periods of transported foods are increasing food wastage in this industry. Some food wastage elements will create challenges in developing the in-flight catering market. It is essential to tackle these market challenges effectively to increase the growth of the particular market.

APAC & Middle East Inflight Catering Market Trends

Full-service Carriers Segment is Anticipated to Show Significant Growth During the Forecasted Period

Currently, full-service carriers dominate the inflight catering market. Due to increasing competition and lower operating costs due to reduced oil prices, full-service airlines are upgrading their inflight catering, aircraft interiors, and services.

Many FSCs in the Asia-Pacific and Middle East are well known for providing the best passenger amenities. Some of them are Qatar Airways, ANA All Nippon Airways, Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific Airways, Emirates, Qantas Airways, EVA Air, Hainan Airlines, and Thai Airways. Few airlines provide customized menus and onboard chefs to better serve first-class and business-class passengers. An increasing number of full-service carrier routes and new airline partnerships with local restaurants in Asia-Pacific and the Middle East are the major factors propelling the segment's growth during the forecast period.

Asia-Pacific Dominates the Market During the Forecast Period

The Asia-Pacific region dominates the market and will showcase remarkable growth in the coming years. The dominance is due to significant growth in LCCs and rising passenger traffic in countries like India, China, Japan, Thailand, and Indonesia. To fulfill the increasing passenger traffic, the airlines are expanding their aircraft fleet and introducing new aircraft routes, generating demand for the inflight catering market.

For instance, in September 2022, SATS Ltd. agreed to buy Worldwide Flight Services (WFS) in cash for EUR 1.2 billion (USD 1.1 billion). It was done in a deal that will transform Singapore's catering and gateway services company into the world's biggest handler of airborne freight. Similarly, in December 2022, China Eastern Airlines and CEA Group, its controlling shareholder, will pump USD 217.4 million into their airline catering arm. It was to enhance the entity's financial security and help it manage the impact of COVID-19. In the first six months of 2022, China Eastern Airlines spent CNY 439 million (USD 63.6 million) on catering. Eastern Air Catering and its subsidiaries supply catering and related services to various airlines from its airport kitchens around China. Such factors drive the Asia-Pacific inflight catering market during the forecast period.

APAC & Middle East Inflight Catering Industry Overview

The market is consolidated with few global players holding significant shares in the market. Some of the keye players in the market are LSG Airline Catering & Retail GmbH, Cathay Pacific Catering Services Ltd., SATS Ltd., GateGroup, and the Emirates Group. Despite the consolidated nature of the market, many regional players support various airlines in the region. There are over 130 inflight companies in China that support foreign airlines and domestic airlines.

In addition to inflight catering providers for airlines, there are some catering providers, such as five-star hotels, local restaurants, on-board chefs, and inflight caterers for private jets. Due to rising number of air passengers, the inflight caterers expand their facilities to increase production capacities. Such expansion plans and long-term partnerships with the airlines will help the caterers increase their market share in the region.

APAC & Middle East Inflight Catering Market Leaders

APAC & Middle East Inflight Catering Market News

• August 2023: TajSATS Air Catering Limited opened a new kitchen at the newly inaugurated Manohar International Airport at Mopa in Goa.
• June 2023: Emirates Flight Catering signs its first deal with GMG to provide ready-to-go meals. This sector is expanding rapidly in the UAE due to various factors like changing demographics, increasing urbanization, and a growing number of working professionals and expatriates.