Saudi Arabia Inflight Catering Market Size & Share Analysis – Growth Trends And Forecast (2024 - 2029)

Saudi Arabia Inflight Catering Market Size & Share Analysis – Growth Trends And Forecast (2024 - 2029)

The Saudi Arabia Inflight Catering Market size is estimated at USD 0.79 billion in 2024, and is expected to reach USD 1.41 billion by 2029, at a CAGR of 12.15% during the forecast period (2024-2029).

Inflight catering involves serving meals to passengers on commercial airliners. Specialist airline catering services prepare these meals, typically served using an airline service trolley. This study focuses on inflight catering services offered to airlines in Saudi Arabia. The inflight catering market in Saudi Arabia serves domestic and international flights and showcases diverse services. Driven by initiatives like Vision 2030, the market has seen significant growth, buoyed by rising air traffic, expanding airport infrastructure, and a surge in tourism and business travel.

Stringent food safety and handling standards set by local and international authorities heavily regulate the market. Adhering to these regulations is paramount; non-compliance can result in severe penalties, from fines to operational bans. This underscores the necessity for robust compliance frameworks within catering companies. Economic diversification efforts and geopolitical factors shape the market's dynamics, influencing regional air travel and tourism. The market is poised for growth with the ongoing airspace liberalization and Saudi Arabia's strategic position as a bridge between East and West. However, it remains sensitive to regional stability and economic shifts.

Saudi Arabia Inflight Catering Market Trends

Snacks, Fruits and Salad Segment will Showcase Significant Growth During the Forecast Period

Recently, airlines have seen a rising demand for snacks, fruits, and salads, driven by changing passenger preferences. More travelers are emphasizing healthy eating, even at 30,000 feet. Consequently, there's a growing preference for fresh fruits, salads, and nutritious snacks, overshadowing the demand for processed or heavy meals.

With many passengers adhering to specific vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free diets, airlines have expanded their offerings to include a wider variety of fruits and salads. Airlines in Saudi Arabia, especially those catering to international travelers or aligning with local customs, generally provide a diverse range of snacks, fruits, and salads. Yet, the specific offerings can differ based on the airline and the class of service. Typically, airlines serve a standard meal comprising a salad or vegetables, a choice of meat or fish, a bread roll, and dessert. Breakfasts often feature fresh fruit salads. For example, flynas pairs fruit salads with a cheese omelet, a cold breakfast, and a hot foul.

Saudi Arabian Airlines frequently presents traditional snacks and locally sourced fruits, appealing to regional and international passengers. Typical snacks include Arabic bread with cheese or za'atar, Arabic sweets like nut-stuffed dates or ma'amoul, mixed nuts (such as almonds and cashews), and packaged biscuits or cookies. Standard fruit offerings encompass apples, oranges, bananas, and dates, while long-haul flights might also feature melons, grapes, and berries.

Adhering to halal food guidelines, most Saudi Arabian airlines ensure their offerings are modest and respectful of local customs. However, premium cabins might enjoy a more elaborate spread with a broader selection. The ongoing demand for halal-compliant and culturally sensitive meals influences menu designs, leading to a greater emphasis on traditional snacks and lighter fare like salads and fruits.

Economy Class Segment Will Dominate the Market During the Forecast Period

Airlines typically design economy class seats to be narrower than those in other classes, offering less legroom. However, these seats usually come with the ability to recline and feature a fold-down table. Despite their narrower design, economy class seats generate the highest revenue for airlines, primarily due to their greater numbers than other classes. Given the trend, this segment is poised to continue its market dominance significantly as airlines increasingly enhance meal offerings to cater to rising passenger demands.

Traditionally, airlines emphasized dining options and food presentation less in economy class than in other classes. However, with a noticeable uptick in economy class passengers over recent years, airlines are expanding food offerings in this segment. The rise of low-cost carriers (LCCs), primarily focused on economy-class services, is evident. In a shift from the past, where complimentary food was standard, many short-haul LCCs now offer onboard retail food or pre-booking options for their economy class passengers.

In 2023, flyadeal, a low-cost carrier from Saudi Arabia, showcased notable growth with significant fleet and network expansions. Since its inception, the airline celebrated two major milestones, cumulatively transporting around 20 million and 25 million passengers. Flyadeal operates with a unified economy class cabin across its fleet. As a budget airline, Flyadeal doesn't provide complimentary food or drinks. Thus, the growing emphasis on premium economy seats is poised to bolster inflight catering opportunities in Saudi Arabia, fueling the segment's expansion in the coming years.

Saudi Arabia Inflight Catering Industry Overview

The inflight catering market in Saudi Arabia is characterized as semi-consolidated, with a handful of players commanding substantial market shares. Prominent players include Catrion Catering Holding Company SJSC, Gategroup, Newrest Group Services SAS, SATS Ltd., and LSG Sky Chefs.

These key players strongly emphasize integrating robotics and automation into their inflight catering operations, signaling a crucial trend for the future. This transition streamlines kitchen operations and optimizes airport delivery logistics, leading to heightened operational efficiency and notable cost savings. By automating meal preparation, these companies can ensure consistent quality, boost production rates, reduce labor expenses, and lessen the chances of human error.

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