India InFlight Catering Market Size
| Study Period | 2019 - 2029 |
| Base Year For Estimation | 2023 |
| Market Size (2024) | USD 183.99 Million |
| Market Size (2029) | USD 341.41 Million |
| CAGR (2024 - 2029) | 13.16 % |
| Market Concentration | High |
Major Players
*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order |
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India InFlight Catering Market Analysis
The India InFlight Catering Market size is estimated at USD 183.99 million in 2024, and is expected to reach USD 341.41 million by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 13.16% during the forecast period (2024-2029).
The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the governments of several countries imposing travel restrictions and lockdown measures, which affected the business travel and tourism sectors in India. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), domestic air travel in India crossed 85% of the pre-pandemic level as the aviation industry recovered globally. According to IATA, India's air travel reached 85.7% of 2019 levels in 2022.
The rising emphasis on customer-centric food menus is currently driving the Indian inflight catering market, as most airlines are adding new items to their menus to provide better quality food to passengers by keeping their preferences in mind. With the increasing air travel, the induction of new destinations and new long-haul flights may create future opportunities for the Indian inflight catering market.
India InFlight Catering Market Trends
Low Cost Carriers are Expected to Show Remarkable Growth During the Forecast Period
There has been significant growth concerning low-cost carriers in India in recent times. The growth in air passenger traffic in India, coupled with various airline companies looking to acquire newer aircraft to increase their fleet size, will be the major factors contributing to growth in the market. The Indian aviation industry has witnessed growth in terms of the number of low-cost carriers. Today, the LCC segment has operators such as Go Air, Spice Jet, AIX Connect, and INDIGO, which account for a major share of the Indian aviation industry.
However, various LCCs in the Indian aviation industry do not include inflight catering to minimize ticket prices. For instance, in November 2021, Air Asia India, now renamed AIX Connect, announced the resumption of inflight food and beverage service across all its routes. Passengers may pre-book their meals from a wide range of vegetarian, non-vegetarian, and vegan hot meals and sandwiches or purchase light bites, hot and cold beverages, and ready-to-eat meals inflight on long-haul flights above 75 minutes. For short-haul flights under 75 minutes, guests may choose from a wide range of snacks, ready-to-eat meals, and sandwiches. The airline offers a wide range of options, including meals specially curated by MasterChefs. Moreover, the airline offers vegan, eggetarian, pescatarian, non-vegetarian, and Jain meal options, as well as other delectable desserts. AirAsia India's inflight meals are catered by TajSATSAir Catering. In addition, each meal is prepared with the highest standards of hygiene and quality. In the current scenario, TajSATS has established itself as India's premier aviation catering company and the first service partner of choice for the world's leading airlines.
Thus, with an increase in the number of air traffic passengers' various low-cost carriers in India, such as Indigo, have started to provide snacks that are not complimentary but can be purchased onboard the aircraft. This shall lead to a positive outlook in the growth of non-complimentary in-flight catering options for the Indian LCCs in the near future.
The Meals Segment is Projected to Grow at a Rapid Pace During the Forecast Period
Indian passengers now prefer rice and meals over bakery and confectionary items, unlike air passengers in European and North American countries. The inflight dinners for most airlines in India include meat, a salad or vegetable, a small roll, and a dessert. During morning flights, a cooked breakfast or lighter continental-style meal may be an option. Moreover, the growth of the vegan and vegetarian population is increasing rapidly in India due to factors such as religion, altruism, environmental concerns, etc. The trend of growing vegetarianism has increased the demand for vegan or vegetarian meals on board Indian aircraft.
Moreover, the growth of health-conscious people has resulted in the growing popularity of gluten-free meals and low-salt meals, as they are becoming the major food offerings under the special meals for airlines. On the other hand, various Indian inflight caterers have now started to provide onboard snacks on airlines. In addition, caterers are also offering vegan, eggetarian, pescatarian, non-vegetarian, and Jain meal options and other delectable desserts as part of their menu.
Airline companies in India are now remapping the way meals are served onboard their aircraft. In April 2023, Air India announced that they had completely remapped the way they serve meals on board the aircraft. Air India, in the present scenario, has partnered with Ambassadors Sky Chef to provide meals onboard their flight. The inflight caterer announced that they will now be focused on serving Indian 'Ghar ka Khana' in the flight with some unique fusion culinary touches, elevating the in-flight dining experience of Air India passengers. In April 2023, the new menu was expanded to its international flights as well.
India InFlight Catering Industry Overview
The market is consolidated in nature, with the presence of a few players holding significant shares. Some of the key players are TajSATSAir Catering Limited, Gate Group, Ambassador's Sky Chef, SkyGourmet Catering Private Limited, and Oberoi Flight Service (Oberoi Group). These companies hold a significant market share in the Indian inflight catering market.
Companies in the market are trying their best to extend their presence in the market by gaining new contracts or by extending their existing contracts. In November 2021, the inflight catering services provider SATS was in the process of setting up the first central kitchen in India at Bengaluru, at a total investment of nearly INR 210 crore (USD 27 million). It is planning to open three more large-scale central kitchens. It is exploring sites in northern and western India for its next facility. Such new investments and developments by key players are going to drive growth in the market.
India InFlight Catering Market Leaders
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TajSATSAir Catering Limited
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Gate Group
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Ambassador’s Sky Chef
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SkyGourmet Catering Private Limited
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Oberoi Flight Services (Oberoi Group)
*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
India InFlight Catering Market News
In August 2023, TajSATS Air Catering Limited, an industry leader in Inflight Catering, announced the opening of a new kitchen located at the newly inaugurated Manohar International Airport at Mopa in Goa.
In January 2022, Air India performed a major overhaul of its inflight catering offerings. Non-vegetarian meals are being introduced in the economy class of domestic flights after a gap of nearly four years. Seafood, including prawns, may be offered to first-class passengers on international flights. There may be greater choices in juices, hot beverages, and conserves.
India InFlight Catering Market Report - Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION
- 1.1 Study Assumptions
- 1.2 Scope of the Study
2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
4. MARKET DYNAMICS
- 4.1 Market Overview
- 4.2 Market Drivers
- 4.3 Market Restraints
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4.4 Porter's Five Forces Analysis
- 4.4.1 Bargaining Power of Buyers/Consumers
- 4.4.2 Bargaining Power of Suppliers
- 4.4.3 Threat of New Entrants
- 4.4.4 Threat of Substitute Products
- 4.4.5 Intensity of Competitive Rivalry
5. MARKET SEGMENTATION
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5.1 By Aircraft Class
- 5.1.1 Economy Class
- 5.1.2 Business Class
- 5.1.3 First Class
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5.2 By Flight Service Type
- 5.2.1 Full Service Carriers
- 5.2.2 Low-cost Carriers
- 5.2.3 Hybrid and Other Flight Service Types
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5.3 By Food Type
- 5.3.1 Meals
- 5.3.2 Bakery and Confectionery
- 5.3.3 Beverages
- 5.3.4 Other Food Types
6. COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
- 6.1 Vendor Market Share**
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6.2 Company Profiles
- 6.2.1 TajSATS Air Catering Limited
- 6.2.2 Gate Group
- 6.2.3 Ambassador's Sky Chef
- 6.2.4 Casino Air Caterers & Flight Services
- 6.2.5 Skygourmet Catering Private Limited
- 6.2.6 Oberoi Flight Services (Oberoi Group)
- 6.2.7 Muthoot Skychef (Muthoot Finance Ltd)
- 6.2.8 Lufthansa Flight Kitchen (Deutsche Lufthansa AG)
- 6.2.9 Uday Sky Kitchen (USK)
- 6.2.10 Lulu Flight Kitchen Private Limited
- *List Not Exhaustive
7. MARKET OPPORTUNITIES AND FUTURE TRENDS
** Subject To AvailablityIndia InFlight Catering Industry Segmentation
Inflight catering refers to airline food, inflight meals, or airline meals served on board to passengers by the aircraft operator. Specialist airline catering services prepare these meals and usually serve them to passengers using an airline service trolley.
The market is segmented by aircraft seating class, flight service type, and food type. Based on aircraft seating class, the market is segmented into economy class, business class, and first class. Based on flight service type, the market is divided into full-service providers, low-cost carriers, and hybrid and other flight service types. Based on food type, the market is segmented into meals, bakery and confectionery, beverages, and other food types. The market sizing and forecasts have been provided in value (USD).
| By Aircraft Class | Economy Class |
| Business Class | |
| First Class | |
| By Flight Service Type | Full Service Carriers |
| Low-cost Carriers | |
| Hybrid and Other Flight Service Types | |
| By Food Type | Meals |
| Bakery and Confectionery | |
| Beverages | |
| Other Food Types |
India InFlight Catering Market Research Faqs
How big is the India InFlight Catering Market?
The India InFlight Catering Market size is expected to reach USD 183.99 million in 2024 and grow at a CAGR of 13.16% to reach USD 341.41 million by 2029.
What is the current India InFlight Catering Market size?
In 2024, the India InFlight Catering Market size is expected to reach USD 183.99 million.
Who are the key players in India InFlight Catering Market?
TajSATSAir Catering Limited, Gate Group, Ambassador’s Sky Chef, SkyGourmet Catering Private Limited and Oberoi Flight Services (Oberoi Group) are the major companies operating in the India InFlight Catering Market.
What years does this India InFlight Catering Market cover, and what was the market size in 2023?
In 2023, the India InFlight Catering Market size was estimated at USD 159.78 million. The report covers the India InFlight Catering Market historical market size for years: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023. The report also forecasts the India InFlight Catering Market size for years: 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028 and 2029.
India InFlight Catering Industry Report
Statistics for the 2024 India InFlight Catering market share, size and revenue growth rate, created by Mordor Intelligence™ Industry Reports. India InFlight Catering analysis includes a market forecast outlook to for 2024 to 2029 and historical overview. Get a sample of this industry analysis as a free report PDF download.
