gategroup has signed a long-term contract with leading European airline airberlin to provide catering and provisioning services through its Gate Gourmet brand.

The new agreement extends Gate Gourmet's existing business with airberlin for five years to the end of 2016, with the option to renew for an additional five-year term. The value of the agreement is CHF 70 to 80 million per year.

The contract, which is effective immediately, covers airberlin's operations in over 10 European airports, including Dusseldorf, one of its main hubs.

Gate Gourmet provides in-flight food, beverages and other onboard provisions to airberlin and the airline currently is among gategroup's top 10 customers in terms of annual revenue.

"We are delighted to continue our long association with airberlin and proud that the airline recognizes our strong focus on quality, performance and wide-ranging portfolio of products and services," said gategroup Chief Executive Officer Andrew Gibson.

In addition to the renewal of the catering and provisioning contract, gategroup brand Performa also recently reached a long-term agreement with airberlin. Performa, in close association with sister brand potmstudios, was awarded the contract to design, build and manage airberlin's flagship lounge now under construction at the new Berlin-Brandenburg Airport, scheduled to open in mid-year. The lounge will capture the atmosphere and culinary tradition of the popular German North Sea resort of Sylt.