| Study Period | 2019 - 2030 |
| Market Size (2025) | USD 8.23 Billion |
| Market Size (2030) | USD 13.29 Billion |
| CAGR (2025 - 2030) | 10.05 % |
| Fastest Growing Market | Asia Pacific |
| Largest Market | Asia Pacific |
| Market Concentration | High |
Major Players*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order |
APAC & Middle East Inflight Catering Market Analysis
The Asia-Pacific And Middle-East Inflight Catering Market size is estimated at USD 8.23 billion in 2025, and is expected to reach USD 13.29 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 10.05% during the forecast period (2025-2030).
Growing air traffic in the Asia-Pacific and Middle East has increased emphasis on additional amenities like onboard dining. Owing to this, regional airlines are increasing investments in inflight catering. Introducing new menus and new dining concepts, such as an onboard chef in first—and business-class airlines, to improve the passenger experience is anticipated to accelerate the market's growth.
An increase in the cost of inflight food posed challenges for the in-flight catering service market to work properly. Hence, the high cost associated with the supply chain and food service is also hindering effective growth to a great extent in the forecast period. Transportation of food and low periods of transported foods are increasing food wastage in this industry. Some food wastage elements will create challenges in developing the in-flight catering market. It is essential to tackle these market challenges effectively to increase the growth of the particular market.
APAC & Middle East Inflight Catering Market Trends
Full-service Carriers Segment is Anticipated to Show Significant Growth During the Forecasted Period
Currently, full-service carriers dominate the inflight catering market. Due to increasing competition and lower operating costs due to reduced oil prices, full-service airlines are upgrading their inflight catering, aircraft interiors, and services.
Many FSCs in the Asia-Pacific and Middle East are well known for providing the best passenger amenities. Some of them are Qatar Airways, ANA All Nippon Airways, Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific Airways, Emirates, Qantas Airways, EVA Air, Hainan Airlines, and Thai Airways. Few airlines provide customized menus and onboard chefs to better serve first-class and business-class passengers. An increasing number of full-service carrier routes and new airline partnerships with local restaurants in Asia-Pacific and the Middle East are the major factors propelling the segment's growth during the forecast period.
Understand The Key Trends Shaping This Market
Download PDF
Asia-Pacific Dominates the Market During the Forecast Period
The Asia-Pacific region dominates the market and will showcase remarkable growth in the coming years. The dominance is due to significant growth in LCCs and rising passenger traffic in countries like India, China, Japan, Thailand, and Indonesia. To fulfill the increasing passenger traffic, the airlines are expanding their aircraft fleet and introducing new aircraft routes, generating demand for the inflight catering market.
For instance, in September 2022, SATS Ltd. agreed to buy Worldwide Flight Services (WFS) in cash for EUR 1.2 billion (USD 1.1 billion). It was done in a deal that will transform Singapore's catering and gateway services company into the world's biggest handler of airborne freight. Similarly, in December 2022, China Eastern Airlines and CEA Group, its controlling shareholder, will pump USD 217.4 million into their airline catering arm. It was to enhance the entity's financial security and help it manage the impact of COVID-19. In the first six months of 2022, China Eastern Airlines spent CNY 439 million (USD 63.6 million) on catering. Eastern Air Catering and its subsidiaries supply catering and related services to various airlines from its airport kitchens around China. Such factors drive the Asia-Pacific inflight catering market during the forecast period.
Get Analysis on Important Geographic Markets
Download PDF
APAC & Middle East Inflight Catering Industry Overview
The market is consolidated with few global players holding significant shares in the market. Some of the keye players in the market are LSG Airline Catering & Retail GmbH, Cathay Pacific Catering Services Ltd., SATS Ltd., GateGroup, and the Emirates Group. Despite the consolidated nature of the market, many regional players support various airlines in the region. There are over 130 inflight companies in China that support foreign airlines and domestic airlines.
In addition to inflight catering providers for airlines, there are some catering providers, such as five-star hotels, local restaurants, on-board chefs, and inflight caterers for private jets. Due to rising number of air passengers, the inflight caterers expand their facilities to increase production capacities. Such expansion plans and long-term partnerships with the airlines will help the caterers increase their market share in the region.
APAC & Middle East Inflight Catering Market Leaders
-
Gategroup
-
The Emirates Group
-
SATS Ltd.
-
Cathay Pacific Catering Services Ltd.
-
LSG Airline Catering & Retail GmbH
- *Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
Need More Details on Market Players and Competitors?
Download PDF
APAC & Middle East Inflight Catering Market News
- August 2023: TajSATS Air Catering Limited opened a new kitchen at the newly inaugurated Manohar International Airport at Mopa in Goa.
- June 2023: Emirates Flight Catering signs its first deal with GMG to provide ready-to-go meals. This sector is expanding rapidly in the UAE due to various factors like changing demographics, increasing urbanization, and a growing number of working professionals and expatriates.
APAC & Middle East Inflight Catering Industry Segmentation
Inflight food is served to air passengers onboard a commercial airliner. Specialist airline catering services make these meals and serve them to travelers using an airline service trolley.
The inflight catering market is segmented by food type, flight type, aircraft seating class, and geography. By food type, the market is segmented into meals, bakery and confectionery, beverages, and other food types. The other food types segment comprises condiments and other related add-on supplements, such as jams, sauces, salt, pepper, margarine, sugar, etc., supplied in small sachets. By flight type, the market is segmented into full-service carriers, low-cost carriers, and other flight types. The other flight types include hybrid carriers and business jets. By seating class, the market is segmented into economy class, business class, and first class. The report also covers the market size and forecasts in major countries across Asia-Pacific and the Middle East. For each segment, the market sizing and forecasts are done based on value (USD).
| Food Type | Meals | ||
| Bakery and Confectionary | |||
| Beverages | |||
| Other Food Types | |||
| Flight Type | Full-service Carriers | ||
| Low-cost Carriers | |||
| Hybrid and Other Flight Types | |||
| Aircraft Seating Class | Economy Class | ||
| Business Class | |||
| First Class | |||
| Geography | Asia-Pacific | China | |
| India | |||
| Japan | |||
| Australia | |||
| New Zealand | |||
| Indonesia | |||
| Thailand | |||
| Malaysia | |||
| Rest of Asia-Pacific | |||
| Middle-East | United Arab Emirates | ||
| Saudi Arabia | |||
| Qatar | |||
| Israel | |||
| Egypt | |||
| Oman | |||
| Rest of Middle-East | |||
Need A Different Region or Segment?
Customize Now
APAC & Middle East Inflight Catering Market Research FAQs
How big is the Asia-Pacific And Middle-East Inflight Catering Market?
The Asia-Pacific And Middle-East Inflight Catering Market size is expected to reach USD 8.23 billion in 2025 and grow at a CAGR of 10.05% to reach USD 13.29 billion by 2030.
What is the current Asia-Pacific And Middle-East Inflight Catering Market size?
In 2025, the Asia-Pacific And Middle-East Inflight Catering Market size is expected to reach USD 8.23 billion.
Who are the key players in Asia-Pacific And Middle-East Inflight Catering Market?
Gategroup, The Emirates Group, SATS Ltd., Cathay Pacific Catering Services Ltd. and LSG Airline Catering & Retail GmbH are the major companies operating in the Asia-Pacific And Middle-East Inflight Catering Market.
Which is the fastest growing region in Asia-Pacific And Middle-East Inflight Catering Market?
Asia Pacific is estimated to grow at the highest CAGR over the forecast period (2025-2030).
Which region has the biggest share in Asia-Pacific And Middle-East Inflight Catering Market?
In 2025, the Asia Pacific accounts for the largest market share in Asia-Pacific And Middle-East Inflight Catering Market.
What years does this Asia-Pacific And Middle-East Inflight Catering Market cover, and what was the market size in 2024?
In 2024, the Asia-Pacific And Middle-East Inflight Catering Market size was estimated at USD 7.40 billion. The report covers the Asia-Pacific And Middle-East Inflight Catering Market historical market size for years: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024. The report also forecasts the Asia-Pacific And Middle-East Inflight Catering Market size for years: 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029 and 2030.
Our Best Selling Reports
Asia-Pacific and Middle-East Inflight Catering Industry Report
Statistics for the 2025 Asia-Pacific And Middle-East Inflight Catering market share, size and revenue growth rate, created by Mordor Intelligence™ Industry Reports. Asia-Pacific And Middle-East Inflight Catering analysis includes a market forecast outlook for 2025 to 2030 and historical overview. Get a sample of this industry analysis as a free report PDF download.
