TRBusiness has confirmed with Etihad Airways that the recently-announced $100m global catering award to LSG Sky Chefs to provide catering services in 16 cities, includes ‘nothing more specific’ linked in with the new partnership’ – according to the airline’s press spokesman.

 

This news follows industry speculation from more than one specialist inflight retailer that Etihad might be considering incorporating or outsourcing its inflight duty free programme separately.

 

However, Etihad Airways press spokesman Updesh Kapur told TRBusiness directly that this agreement has not been expanded and ‘nothing more specific’ has been linked into the new partnership.

 

CATERING DEAL ONLY – NOT RETAIL

The four-year $100m global catering deal includes a plan to explore broadening the commercial partnership, with the core agreement based on Lufthansa LSG Sky Chefs providing catering services to Etihad in 16 cities in Europe, Asia and the Americas.

 

LSG has also signed a Memorandum of Understanding to cooperate on aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul services across Etihad and its airline equity partners, with the company claiming to be the world’s leading provider of end-to-end onboard products and services.

 

Meanwhile, Etihad Aviation Group President and CEO James Hogan is leaving in the second half of this year, although he will depart leaving the carrier in better shape than he found it.

 

He joined the 22-aircraft strong company back in 2006, but today, the airline handles around 18.5m passengers a year flying to some 120 aircraft to 112 destinations.

 

Etihad also owns minority stakes in the loss-making Alitalia and Air Berlin operations.