Emirates acquires share in Alpha Flight Services Australia

Emirates, the Dubai-based airline and travel services provider has reached an agreement to acquire a 49 per cent interest in Alpha Flight Services Australia – a leading provider of in-flight catering services in Australia. As part of the agreement, Alpha Flight Services will provide in-flight catering for Emirates flights from Australia starting January 2008.

This investment will be Emirates’ second joint venture operation for in-flight catering services. Its first, Emirates Flight Catering in Dubai, recently opened the world’s largest in-flight catering facility in terms of throughput capacity which could reach 115,000 meals per day.

Stewart Angus, Divisional Senior Vice President for Emirates Group Associated Companies said: “We are delighted to enter into a partnership with Alpha Flight Services in Australia. Alpha is a high quality provider of in-flight catering and has a strong future in the Australian market.

“Alpha has a strong and talented management team, and we look forward to working with them to expand the business and further enhance services to customer airlines.”

Peter Smith, Managing Director of Alpha Flight Services Australia said: “We are glad to welcome Emirates as a partner. They have extensive experience in flight catering and an established reputation in the aviation services arena. We believe their expertise will help us raise the bar in the market for quality services while adding value to our customers and operations.”

Alpha Flight Services Australia provides in-flight catering at nine airports in Australia, including all major international gateways, serving 16 customer airlines with over four million meals per annum. It is a 100% owned subsidiary of Alpha Airports Group Plc, a UK based company which provides in-flight catering and duty free services in 12 countries worldwide.