India InFlight Catering Market: Current Analysis and Forecast (2024-2032)

Report Description

India InFlight Catering Market Size & Forecast

The India InFlight Catering market was valued at USD 175 million in 2023 and is expected to grow at a strong CAGR of around 13.95% during the forecast period (2024-2032) owing to rising demand for domestic and international travel along with enhanced flight add-on services.

India InFlight Catering Market Analysis

The inflight catering market in India has experienced immense growth, largely attributed to the boom in the aviation industry, the increase in disposable income, and changing consumer behavior. Inflight catering is defined as the cooking and serving of food and drinks on airplanes to passengers during flights. This market has grown especially with the upsurge in air travel, both within the region and across borders, as well as the increasing concern of the airline industry on enhancing the overall experience of the passengers with appealing and delicious meals.

The India InFlight Catering market was valued at USD 175 million in 2023 and is expected to grow at a strong CAGR of around 13.95% during the forecast period (2024-2032). There are multiple reasons contributing to the flourishing of the inflight catering industry in India. The foremost among them, has been the emergence of air travel as one of the preferred mediums of transport within the country and outside. Owing to the expansion of the airlines in terms of routes, and frequencies, there has been an increase in demand for inflight meals. The expansion of low-cost carriers like IndiGo, SpiceJet, and GoAir into the domestic market has helped in this problem as it allowed the purchasing power of customers who normally did not fly to increase and hence the total volume of passengers carried by the airline industry as a whole grew. Furthermore, as the airlines still espouse the improvement of the customer experience, inflight catering services are becoming an important competitive factor, with many airlines already providing various types of meals, including vegetarian, gluten-free, local meals, and others. Considering the shifts in the Indian market the demand for InFlight Caterings is further anticipated to grow during 2024-2032.

India InFlight Catering Market Trends

This section discusses the key market trends that are influencing the various segments of the India InFlight Catering Market as identified by our team of research experts.

Rising Air Travel Demand

Air travel demand in India has emerged significantly owing to the growth of a large number of middle-class population. As the country is witnessing a growing income group and high purchasing power the air flight demand both for domestic travel and international travel has extensively increased. Considering these shift many of the low-cost carrier players have emerged into the Indian market. Furthermore, along with the air travel services, the companies are focusing towards the extension of their services such as added food services to provide a comprehensive customer experience.

According to OAG, the total air passengers in India in 2024 for both domestic air travel and international air travel were 186.4 and 44.36 million which was around 111.96 and 15.52 million in the year 2020. Considering the numbers the demand for air travel in the country has significantly enhanced which would strengthen the demand for air catering services.

Furthermore, as per  the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), total 48 airports/airstrips have been constructed between 2014-2024 in India. The construction is in line with the rising air traffic and provide better air connectivity to a large number of passengers. Considering these shifts the air travel in the coming years would further increase and lead to higher demand for catering services in aviation sector during 2024-2032.

North India is Expected to Hold Major Market Share During Forecast Period

The North India inflight catering business is one of the booming segments in India’s aviation catering industry. This region which covers major airports such as Delhi, Chandigarh, Amritsar, Jaipur, etc. handles high volume of passenger transit associated with both domestic as well as international flights. Delhi in particular is a major station for many domestic and international covers leading to a very high percentage of inflight catering services provided. The ethnography of cultures in this region creates the influence on the meals which are offered in the airlines i.e., different meals will be offered in the airlines since they will appeal to the region and outside the region as well.

The demand for inflight catering services in North Indian region is also dependent upon the growth of middle class, more air travel as well as the emergence of low-cost carriers such as Air India, Indigo and Spice jet. The burgeoning airline industry offers numerous challenges such as one of the demand for a healthier customized meal rather than the ordinary ones or introduction of more premium class services in business and first class cabins. Moreover, changes in the meals selection, packaging and delivery process due to technology are serving the purpose of fussy passengers as well.. Accounting for all the factors the North India region is anticipated to exhibit a rapid growth in the India InFlight Catering Market during 2024-2032.

India InFlight Catering Industry Overview

The India InFlight Catering market is competitive and fragmented, with the presence of several Indian market players. The key players are adopting different growth strategies to enhance their market presence, such as partnerships, agreements, collaborations, new product launches, geographical expansions, and mergers and acquisitions. Some of the major players operating in the market are TajSATS Air Catering Limited, Gate Group, Ambassador’s Sky Chef, Casino Air Caterers & Flight Services, Skygourmet Catering Private Limited, Oberoi Flight Services (Oberoi Group), Muthoot Skychef (Muthoot Finance Ltd), Lufthansa Flight Kitchen (Deutsche Lufthansa AG), Uday Sky Kitchen (USK), and Lulu Flight Kitchen Private Limited.

India InFlight Catering Market News

In 2024, according to the Tata Group, Air India’s workforce has extensively grown by the addition of 9,000 new staff and 5,000 new crew members along with the addition of 35 new destinations of travel including 10 domestic and 25 international.

India InFlight Catering Market Report Coverage

Reasons to buy this report:

• The study includes market sizing and forecasting analysis validated by authenticated key industry experts.
• The report presents a quick review of overall industry performance at one glance.
• The report covers an in-depth analysis of prominent industry peers with a primary focus on key business financials, product portfolios, expansion strategies, and recent developments.
• Detailed examination of drivers, restraints, key trends, and opportunities prevailing in the industry.
• The study comprehensively covers the market across different segments.
• Deep dive regional level analysis of the industry.

Customization Options:

The India InFlight Catering market can further be customized as per the requirement or any other market segment. Besides this, UMI understands that you may have your own business needs; hence, feel free to connect with us to get a report that completely suits your requirements.

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Research Methodology

Research Methodology for the India InFlight Catering Market Analysis (2024-2032)

Analyzing the historical market, estimating the current market, and forecasting the future market of the India InFlight Catering market were the three major steps undertaken to create and analyze the adoption of India InFlight Catering in major regions in India. Exhaustive secondary research was conducted to collect the historical market numbers and estimate the current market size. Secondly, to validate these insights, numerous findings and assumptions were taken into consideration. Moreover, exhaustive primary interviews were also conducted with industry experts across the value chain of the India InFlight Catering market. Post assumption and validation of market numbers through primary interviews, we employed a top-down/bottom-up approach to forecasting the complete market size. Thereafter, market breakdown and data triangulation methods were adopted to estimate and analyze the market size of segments and sub-segments of the industry. Detailed methodology is explained below:

Analysis of Historical Market Size

Step 1: In-Depth Study of Secondary Sources:

A detailed secondary study was conducted to obtain the historical market size of the India InFlight Catering market through company internal sources such as annual reports & financial statements, performance presentations, press releases, etc., and external sources including journals, news & articles, government publications, competitor publications, sector reports, third-party database, and other credible publications.

Step 2: Market Segmentation:

After obtaining the historical market size of the India InFlight Catering market, we conducted a detailed secondary analysis to gather historical market insights and share for different segments & sub-segments for major regions. Major segments are included in the report as By Aircraft Class, By Flight Service Type, By Food Type. Further regional/country-level analyses were conducted to evaluate the overall adoption of testing models in that region.

Step 3: Factor Analysis:

After acquiring the historical market size of different segments and sub-segments, we conducted a detailed factor analysis to estimate the current market size of the India InFlight Catering market. Further, we conducted factor analysis using dependent and independent variables such as By Aircraft Class, By Flight Service Type, By Food Type in the India InFlight Catering market. A thorough analysis was conducted for demand and supply-side scenarios considering top partnerships, mergers and acquisitions, business expansion, and product launches in the India InFlight Catering market sector across the country.

Current Market Size Estimate & Forecast

Current Market Sizing: Based on actionable insights from the above 3 steps, we arrived at the current market size, key players in the India InFlight Catering market, and market shares of the segments. All the required percentage shares split and market breakdowns were determined using the above-mentioned secondary approach and verified through primary interviews.

Estimation & Forecasting: For market estimation and forecast, weights were assigned to different factors, including drivers & trends, restraints, and opportunities available for the stakeholders. After analyzing these factors, relevant forecasting techniques, i.e., the top-down/bottom-up approach, were applied to arrive at the market forecast for 2032 for different segments and sub-segments across the major markets in India. The research methodology adopted to estimate the market size encompasses:

The industry’s market size, in terms of revenue (USD) and the adoption rate of the India InFlight Catering market across the major markets domestically

All percentage shares, splits, and breakdowns of market segments and sub-segments

Key players in the India InFlight Catering market in terms of products offered. Also, the growth strategies adopted by these players to compete in the fast-growing market.

Market Size and Share Validation

Primary Research: In-depth interviews were conducted with the Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs), including Top Level Executives (CXO/VPs, Sales Head, Marketing Head, Operational Head, Regional Head, Country Head, etc.) across major regions. Primary findings were then summarized, and statistical analysis was performed to prove the stated hypothesis. Inputs from primary research were consolidated with secondary findings, hence turning information into actionable insights.

Split of Primary Participants in Different Regions

Market Engineering

The data triangulation technique was employed to complete the overall market estimation and to arrive at precise statistical numbers for each segment and sub-segment of the India InFlight Catering market. Data was split into several segments and sub-segments after studying various parameters and trends By Aircraft Class, By Flight Service Type, By Food Type in the India InFlight Catering market.

The main objective of the India InFlight Catering Market Study

The current & future market trends of the India InFlight Catering market were pinpointed in the study. Investors can gain strategic insights to base their discretion for investments on the qualitative and quantitative analysis performed in the study. Current and future market trends determined the overall attractiveness of the market at a regional level, providing a platform for the industrial participant to exploit the untapped market to benefit from a first-mover advantage. Other quantitative goals of the studies include:

• Analyze the current and forecast market size of the India InFlight Catering market in terms of value (USD). Also, analyze the current and forecast market size of different segments and sub-segments.
• Segments in the study include areas By Aircraft Class, By Flight Service Type, By Food Type.
• Define and analyze the regulatory framework for India InFlight Catering industry.
• Analyze the value chain involved with the presence of various intermediaries, along with analyzing customer and competitor behaviors of the industry.
• Analyze the current and forecast market size of the India InFlight Catering market for the major regions.
• Major regions of India studied in the report include North India, East India, West India, and South India
• Company profiles of the India InFlight Catering market and the growth strategies adopted by the market players to sustain in the fast-growing market.
• Deep dive regional level analysis of the industry

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