Three keys areas make up the cooperation between gategroup and Airbus: a fully digital galley, the dynamic galley and optimized layout of passenger accommodation (LOPA) through innovative service redesigns which will result in space optimization.
HAMBURG – gategroup and aircraft manufacturer Airbus have signed a cooperation agreement which will enable Big Data and analytics to be used across all areas of an airline's business. Launched on the first day of The World Travel Catering & Onboard Services Expo (WTCE), this agreement is a major step towards a unique connected experience in-cabin.
Three keys areas make up the cooperation between gategroup and Airbus: a fully digital galley, the dynamic galley and optimized layout of passenger accommodation (LOPA) through innovative service redesigns which will result in space optimization.
The digital galley supports trolleys and galley inserts which provide an end-to-end digital catering process – from airline to caterer, caterer to aircraft and aircraft to caterer and airline. The second key is the data delivered by the trolleys from the connected galley, from the galley loading alongside the real-time and inflight data processing. And thirdly is the extensive post flight data analytics which will enable accurate future demand predictions. These will be possible across both individual flights and aircraft types.
The dynamic galley, a concept so flexible that it will enable galley inserts or equipment to be configured on a flight basis, is entirely driven by the needs of each route or service concept.
Finally, the enhancement of the catering service will enable airlines to further optimize the galley configuration, save space in the cabin and implement new service concepts designed by gategroup. Working alongside airline customers gategroup will be able to help optimize inflight service concepts.
"gategroup aims to introduce new and innovative technologies that transform how we and our customers operate,” says gategroup CEO, Xavier Rossinyol. “The connected galley experience is a breakthrough innovation for the market that will radically improve both the customer journey and the way cabin crew interact both with the cabin infrastructure and their guests. We are proud to have collaborated together with Airbus on this game-changing endeavor.”
gategroup and Air Europa to enter long term global partnership for culinary and retail offering
Also, Gate Gourmet and gateretail, two gategroup member companies, have been awarded a six-year contract to serve Spanish carrier Air Europa Lineas Aereas (Air Europa).
The Majorcan-headquartered carrier is 100% owned by the Globalia travel and tourism group and is a member of the Skyteam alliance. Air Europa flies to and from destinations across Spain, Europe, Latin- America, the US, Africa and the Middle East.
Effective 1 January 2020, gategroup will enter into a global partnership with Air Europa to bring a seamless and fully integrated end-to-end solution that delivers best in class inflight services, with a powerful balance of customer centricity, flexibility and excellence in culinary, operational and retail capabilities. This will be from a number of locations both in Spain, (including Air Europa’s main hub operations in Madrid), and Latin-America, where gategroup retains its current business in Sao Paulo (Brazil). Short, medium and long-haul flights will feature in the new contract covering Business and Economy classes culinary offering, as well as Duty Free services on long haul flights. Business meals and Buy on Board retail services will also be offered on short and medium haul routes.
Air Europa’s main hub will be operated from gategroup's new, state-of-the-art facility at Coslada, near Adolfo Suarez Madrid Barajas airport. A cutting-edge kitchen at the new 9,000 sqm facility will allow the company's chefs to showcase their talents and deliver innovative and creative meals to all classes of the airline's guests. The fully digitalized kitchen features the latest culinary equipment, from mobile device cooking to fermentation and will enable Gate Gourmet Madrid to become a culinary competence center which leads the way in creativity and delivers new benchmarks in airline catering.
“We are delighted that our flexibility, commitment and innovation have been recognized as strong differentiators and will establish a strong foundation for our relationship with Air Europa,” says Xavier Rossinyol, CEO of gategroup. “Our value proposition conveys an exciting blend of technology, retail and culinary innovation which will allow Air Europa to deliver a superior offering to their passengers.”
Richard Clark, Deputy Managing Director Air Europa added: "We have chosen gategroup for its unrivalled world-class operational excellence, unexpected innovation, remarkable technological solutions, omni-channel retailing and desire to deliver increased customer satisfaction.”
Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales.
She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.
