Market Size of India InFlight Catering Industry
| 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 |
Need a report that reflects how COVID-19 has impacted this market and its growth?
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 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 Size Summary
The Indian inflight catering market is poised for significant growth, driven by the resurgence of air travel and the increasing focus on customer-centric food offerings. As the aviation industry recovers from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, domestic air travel in India has rebounded, reaching near pre-pandemic levels. This recovery has spurred airlines to enhance their inflight catering services, introducing diverse and high-quality meal options to cater to evolving passenger preferences. The market is witnessing a shift towards more personalized and varied meal choices, including vegan, vegetarian, and health-conscious options, reflecting the changing demographics and dietary preferences of Indian travelers. The rise of low-cost carriers (LCCs) in India has also contributed to the market's expansion, with airlines like AirAsia India reintroducing inflight catering services to enhance the travel experience, despite the initial focus on keeping ticket prices low.
The competitive landscape of the Indian inflight catering market is characterized by a few key players holding substantial market shares, such as TajSATSAir Catering Limited, Gate Group, and Ambassador's Sky Chef. These companies are actively expanding their operations and investing in new facilities to meet the growing demand for inflight catering services. Recent developments include the opening of new kitchens and the introduction of innovative meal offerings, such as Air India's partnership with Ambassadors Sky Chef to serve traditional Indian meals with a modern twist. The market's growth is further supported by strategic investments and expansions by major players, aiming to capture a larger share of the burgeoning aviation sector in India. As air travel continues to grow, the inflight catering market is expected to evolve, offering more diverse and high-quality meal options to meet the needs of an increasingly discerning passenger base.
India InFlight Catering Market Size - Table of Contents
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1. MARKET DYNAMICS
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1.1 Market Overview
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1.2 Market Drivers
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1.3 Market Restraints
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1.4 Porter's Five Forces Analysis
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1.4.1 Bargaining Power of Buyers/Consumers
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1.4.2 Bargaining Power of Suppliers
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1.4.3 Threat of New Entrants
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1.4.4 Threat of Substitute Products
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1.4.5 Intensity of Competitive Rivalry
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2. MARKET SEGMENTATION
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2.1 By Aircraft Class
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2.1.1 Economy Class
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2.1.2 Business Class
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2.1.3 First Class
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2.2 By Flight Service Type
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2.2.1 Full Service Carriers
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2.2.2 Low-cost Carriers
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2.2.3 Hybrid and Other Flight Service Types
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2.3 By Food Type
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2.3.1 Meals
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2.3.2 Bakery and Confectionery
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2.3.3 Beverages
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2.3.4 Other Food Types
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India InFlight Catering Market Size 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.
