New contract sees LSG Sky Chefs move into budget sector

 

Neu-Isenberg - LSG Sky Chefs' UK operation has won a new contract to service bmibaby - one of the country's fastest growing low-cost airlines.

The three-year deal with the budget carrier is a new departure for the world's largest inflight service provider. Traditionally LSG Sky Chefs has provided catering to scheduled and chartered airlines based at the UK's three major airports London-Gatwick, London-Heathrow and Manchester.

The new multi-million Euro deal with bmibaby will, however, involve LSG Sky Chefs providing a range of buy-on-board products to the carrier from not only Manchester but from two new regional bases at East Midlands and Cardiff International airports. As a result, LSG Sky Chefs opened up a new unit at East Midlands airport and works with a third party at Cardiff International to service the airline.

The contract, which also has a two-year extension option, began on 1 April at Cardiff and East Midlands airports and is due to start on1 May at Manchester. In total the deal will involve LSG Sky Chefs' UK operation providing a range of beverages, snacks and sandwiches to an average 42 bmibaby flights a day.

LSG Sky Chefs' UK Country Manager Andy Smith is delighted to have secured the business with the low-cost carrier, which is a subsidiary of bmi and was formed early 2002.

He said: "It is wonderful to break into the budget airline market as we have a wealth of fresh ideas and concepts to offer the sector. bmibaby, for example, was particularly impressed by our innovative marketing and product placement ideas that are aimed to help maximise sales to passengers. We hope to look at ways in which we can work with other low-cost airlines in the future."
Mr Smith also welcomed LSG Sky Chefs' new base at East Midlands and the link-up with a caterer at Cardiff. He added: "It is tremendous news as it means we are now in a position to offer our clients an increased network."

LSG Sky Chefs' Customer Service Manager Marie Horvath said: "bmibaby wants to become established as the 'quality' low-cost airline, providing levels of service that remain unequalled by any other low-cost carrier in the UK and LSG Sky Chefs will be the perfect match to help it reach its goal."
LSG Sky Chefs is the world's largest in-flight service provider, including catering, procurement, equipment management and Total In-flight Service Management. LSG Sky Chefs caters 260 airlines from more than 200 customer service centers in 45 countries. In 2001, the companies belonging to LSG Sky Chefs Group achieved pro-rated sales of EUR 3.1 billion.