In-flight caterer dnata and Sunshine Coast Airport have announced a strategic partnership to help take the regional aviation industry to the next level.
It follows the launch of dnata’s first catering facility on the Sunshine Coast last January, to support low-cost airline Bonza.
The creation of the new facility was a collaborative effort to offer catering and retail services for carriers locally. Since the launch, the catering services provider uplifted 250,000 retail products.
Now, dnata and the airport are set to make further progress, announcing a partnership to “drive advancements in the regional aviation industry”.
Do you have an opinion to share? Submit a Letter to the Editor at Sunshine Coast News via news@sunshinecoastnews.com.au. You must include your name and suburb.
CEO of dnata Catering and Retail Australia Hiranjan Aloysius said the company was determined to provide quality service to passengers and opportunities for local suppliers.
“As Australia’s leading in-flight caterer, we are committed to playing our part in the growth and development of the Sunshine Coast’s aviation industry,” he said.
“We will continue to invest and work in partnership with the airport to ensure a consistent world-class dining experience for passengers on board each flight.
“In all our efforts, we will be dedicated to bolstering local businesses and supporting communities across the region.
“We thank Sunshine Coast Airport and our customers for their trust in our quality services and look forward to future collaboration.”
CEO of Sunshine Coast Airport Chris Mills said the partnership would be a boon to the region.
“The Sunshine Coast and wider region is experiencing rapid growth in its population, industry and economy,” he said.
“It’s important the airport continues to support this growth by creating new opportunities.
“We’ve invested significantly in dnata’s facility to help create jobs and opportunities for local food and beverage providers.
“Our work with dnata has led to the creation of the first catering and retail facility based at Sunshine Coast Airport, supporting Bonza’s all-Australian menu.”
Including its newest catering centre at Sunshine Coast Airport, dnata operates 15 facilities with a team of more than 4000 providing in-flight catering and retail services at 10 airports across Australia.
The company is a leading global air and travel services provider that offers quality and safe ground handling, cargo, travel, catering and retail services in more than 30 countries.
In 2022-23, dnata’s teams handled more than 710,000 aircraft turns, moved over 2.7 million tonnes of cargo and uplifted 111.4 million meals.
Meanwhile, Sunshine Coast Airport is regarded as the fastest-growing airport in Australia.
By 2040, total employment at the airport is expected to grow from 530 to 2400 direct jobs and contribute an estimated $406 million to Australia’s GDP.
The airport services 14 destinations including Adelaide, Albury, Auckland, Avalon, Cairns, Darwin, Mackay, Melbourne, Mildura, Newcastle, Rockhampton, Sydney, Townsville and Whitsunday Coast.
Like stories that inform, connect and celebrate the Sunshine Coast? So do we. Join an independent local news revolution by subscribing to our FREE daily news feed at the bottom of this article.