In-flight catering value to reach $18bn by 2020

Abu Dhabi / Emirates Business

SIAL 2016, the region’s fastest-growing professional trade exhibition for the food, beverage and hospitality industries, will return to Abu Dhabi where it will once again host the world’s leading supply companies to the airline catering sector, during the 35th edition of The Mercurys.
SIAL, under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE, Minister of Presidential Affairs and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority, is taking place from
December, 5-7 at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC).
The awards will be taking place at a glittering gala dinner on December 5 at Shangri-La Hotel, Qaryat al Beri in Abu Dhabi, with the awards an integral part of the 7th edition of SIAL Middle East 2016.
“The Mercurys were launched in 1982 and are designed to recognise and reward innovation within the travel food industry, they are among the most sought after accolade for those in the airline catering business,” said Thamer Al Qasemi, chairman of the organising committee of SIAL Middle East 2016. “Judged by a panel of independent experts, the awards recognise the very best in on-board catering with five main award categories spanning airline meals, service, general on-board food and beverages and equipment.”
Companies competing at this year’s event include Green Gourmet Ltd., German Bakery Company GmbH, Kaelis Onboard Services, RMT Global Partners, Perth Inflight Catering, Emirates Modern Poulty Co LLC and Monty’s Bakehouse, amongst others.
Research by Global Industry Analysts has attributed the growth in air passenger traffic and new effervescent service innovations by airline companies as the driving force behind an annual 5% growth. This growth is set to result in growth of the global inflight catering industry to US$18 billion by 2020.
The Middle East is forecast to grow strongly (by 4.9%) with an extra 237 million passengers a year on routes to, from and within the region according to the International Air Transport Association.
The UAE, Qatar and Saudi Arabia will experience robust growth of 5.6%, 4.8%, and 4.6% respectively with a total market size of 383 million passengers.
Speaking ahead of the event, head judge, chef, airline catering consultant and writer, Jeremy Clark said: “The GCC leads the world when it comes to aviation sector expansion and innovation and, with passenger volumes continuing to rise, supported by regional carrier fleet expansion and ambitious network programmes, this is fueling demand for onboard catering services and providing an attractive target market for many mainstream food manufacturers.”
SIAL 2016 will feature more than 900 exhibitors, 500 VIP hosted buyers, and 22,000 food, beverage and hospitality visitors with an impressive 36% of visitors from the foodservice and HORECA sectors. Attendees will enjoy three days of business, networking and knowledge sharing, with access to niche conferences and innovative show floor events.
SIAL is organised in cooperation with Strategic Partner, Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority and supported by Abu Dhabi Chamber as Host Sponsor and in collaboration with Abu Dhabi Food Festival. Al Dahra Agriculture is headline sponsor with Jenaan Investments the Diamond Sponsor and Emirates Food Industries Gold Sponsor. Emirates International Group for Food and Agriculture and Al Rawabi are Silver Sponsors; Mawasim are Bronze Sponsors; LuLu is the official Retail Partner; Etihad Airways is the Official Airline; and Emirates Culinary Guild and World Association of Chefs are Culinary Partners.