Page 175 - Bord Bia - Irish Foodservice Directory 2024

The food for private and corporate jets is prepared as per customers’ orders
using the finest and freshest ingredients. An online order and payment
system was added to the company’s website to facilitate this.

The vast majority of in-flight food is prepared to heat, or prepared to eat in
advance of boarding.

Opportunities for Irish food and drink suppliers

EFG Inflight Ltd. hosts menu presentations for its customers from time to
time. The use of Irish ingredients is encouraged by the company. However,
airlines often have very specific requirements in terms of the origin of
ingredients.
The airline industry can hold significant opportunities for Irish producers.
These opportunities should be explored directly with the airlines rather
than catering providers such as EFG Inflight Ltd. In 2014 EFG served Aer
Lingus, Delta Airlines, United Airlines, American Airlines, with the addition
of Kuwait Airlines in 2016 and a number of charter operators.

Key areas for growth in terms of existing product offering are baked goods
and fresh, ready to eat products.

Many airlines purchase products centrally and products distributed from a
central facility in the UK. This represents a significant opportunity for Irish
suppliers as it involves a single delivery point.

Purchasing policy and supplier requirements

A number of factors are taken into consideration as part of the purchasing
policy: quality, price, origin of the products, delivery pattern etc. The
weight of the factor changes depending on the market segment the product
is used in:
1. Corporate and Private Jets – quality is the only consideration.
2. Business and First Class – quality at a reasonable cost.
3. Economy – cost is the primary consideration.

EFG Inflight Ltd has a strong preference to source local produce. Where
they have a choice within the specifications laid down by the airline, they
buy Irish.

Suppliers are audited by EFG Inflight on a regular basis in accordance with
relevant regulations and best practices in the industry. There is no charge
for these audits. Some airlines require monthly microbiological testing of
produce.

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