In 1931, Swissair was launched with an in-house catering company. Fast forward 61 years to 1992 and gategourmet was founded after the reorganisation of Swissair catering. A period of growth followed with acquisitions in Europe, Latin America, Asia and the USA, and the company we now know as gategroup was born.
gategroup aims to take passengers on a memorable sensory journey through its culinary and hospitality experiences. Servicing airline and train customers, the company develops top-quality culinary concepts from menu design to execution. Over the years it has pivoted to deliver on ever-changing customer needs and trends by using the power of data and innovation for menu design.
Diversification is key
Highlights of the company’s growth include diversifying to include other services to the airline industry beyond catering. In 2007 it acquired deSter, a serviceware and equipment company, which continues to be a key part of its ESG strategy. With the launch of gateretail in 2012, the business expanded to onboard sales management which meant it could provide a wider range of services to business partners. And with the launch of two new brands in the gategroup portfolio – gatesolutions and uqonic, the business continues to diversify.
But that’s not to say that there haven’t been challenges. When COVID-19 hit, companies were unsure of the future. As a response to this, gategroup introduced its “Vision 2025”, paving the way for expansion into adjacent business opportunities. By adapting and moving into the retail food sector, the company has continued to flourish.
Looking forward
gategroup believes that in the next 10-20 years the passenger experience will be transformed by personalisation, sustainability and technology. Travellers expect seamless, on-demand experiences that feel tailored to them, intuitively understand their needs and create memorable interactions. This personalised approach will leverage AI to balance human warmth with smart technology, enhancing how passengers feel valued. A wave of new preordering concepts will also allow passengers to customise inflight meals and amenities.
With aviation’s commitment to carbon neutrality by 2050, the industry will see a shift toward environmentally conscious processes. Automation will elevate the experience further, with robotics and AI-driven processess.
