GIC International Catering has renewed its contracts with Air Astana and Ethiopian Airlines for a further three years and will officially open its new Munich catering unit on November 15 2026.
The milestones come alongside an expansion of the company’s relationships with Chinese airline partners, the opening of an office in Beijing and investment in its workforce, fleet and operational resilience.
Managing director Göksel Yildirim described 2026 as a demanding year, in which maintaining reliable service while preparing for future growth had to go hand in hand.
“The geopolitical situation, particularly the conflict in the Middle East and its impact on airline operations, created considerable challenges for us,” Yildirim said. “April was especially difficult financially. At the same time, we were making a substantial investment in our new Munich facility. Managing both required careful decisions and a great deal of commitment from our teams.”
Higher energy and fuel costs have added to the pressure on daily operations.
“We have worked through these challenges together with our employees and customers,” he added. “A stable business needs to be able to absorb difficult periods. When you are also building a new operation, you have to balance ambition with financial discipline and make sure service remains dependable.”
Renewed confidence from airline partners
The three-year contract renewals with Air Astana and Ethiopian Airlines represent important milestones for GIC, with both carriers receiving recognition at the 2026 Skytrax World Airline Awards.
“We are particularly pleased that Air Astana and Ethiopian Airlines have chosen to continue their partnerships with us,” Yildirim said. “These are award-winning airlines with high expectations of their service partners. Their continued trust is an important endorsement of the work our teams deliver every day.”
GIC also welcomed the Skytrax recognition received by Air India, a longstanding partner which the company has served for 19 years.
“We share our customers’ happiness when their service is recognised,” Yildirim added. “That includes Air India, with whom we have built a close relationship over many years. We are proud to contribute to the passenger experience of these airlines. Their achievements encourage us to keep improving our own contribution.”
Munich facility to open on November 15 2026
Following its earlier announcement of the expansion, GIC has completed its new Munich catering facility and secured EU production approval and the required airport authorisation. The unit will officially open on 15 November 2026, with production due to begin during November.
Located at CTPark Munich North, the approximately 2,500sqm facility has been designed to accommodate production of up to 20,000 meals per day. GIC plans to launch the operation with around 80 employees.
“Munich is a major investment in the future of our business,” Yildirim said. “It gives us room to develop and more flexibility to support airlines operating to both Frankfurt and Munich. With the facility complete and the approvals in place, our focus is now on a well-organised start and consistent service.”
Alongside its Frankfurt operation and new Munich unit, GIC holds the relevant licence for Düsseldorf, giving it the potential to support customers across three German airports.
Berlin also remains under consideration. The company is drawing on its established network and reviewing potential premises, while keeping the successful launch of Munich as its immediate priority.
Closer relationships with Chinese airline partners
GIC expanded its business with Chinese carriers during 2026, taking over catering for Air China’s Beijing Daxing service at the end of April and beginning operations for China Eastern Airlines on 1 June.
The opening of a Beijing office supports these relationships, providing a local point of contact and helping GIC better understand its partners’ requirements.
“China is an important market for us, and opening our Beijing office is a strategic step,” Yildirim said. “Being present locally allows us to listen more closely, communicate directly and develop relationships over time. We see further opportunities in this market and want to approach them with a good understanding of what our partners need.”
The Beijing team is also exploring wider business opportunities in China, where GIC’s experience could be relevant beyond airline catering.
Strengthening quality and business continuity
At its Frankfurt operation, GIC has renewed its ISO 9001 quality management certification and achieved ISO 22301 certification for business continuity management.
The certifications support the company’s efforts to maintain consistent processes and prepare for operational disruption. With customers including the Lufthansa Group, the ability to respond flexibly while maintaining dependable service remains a central priority.
Bongi Müller, commercial director, and her team have played an important role in this work, helping align customer expectations with the processes and standards maintained across daily operations.
“Our customers need to know that they can rely on us, including when circumstances change,” Müller said. “Quality and business continuity depend on clear responsibilities, practical preparation and teams who understand the standards we need to deliver. These certifications reflect a shared effort across the business and our commitment to improving how we work.”
“Sustaining those standards requires attention every day,” she added. “As the company grows, we want to preserve the close understanding of our customers that makes our service personal and responsive.”
Investing in people and fleet
GIC’s permanent workforce has grown from approximately 140 employees at the end of 2025 to 270 today. The company has also recruited experienced professionals to strengthen its organisational structure and support its expanding operations.
A new employee experience programme focuses on structured onboarding, clearer guidance and ongoing support, helping colleagues settle into their roles and understand how their work contributes to the wider operation.
“Growth brings a responsibility to look after the people joining us,” Yildirim said. “We want colleagues to feel supported from their first day, understand what is expected and know where to turn for help. Building a strong team means investing in training, communication and the everyday experience of working here.”
The company has also purchased five new DOLL catering trucks, equipped with modern electronic systems and internal and external cameras. The investment forms part of its fleet renewal programme and supports the continued development of safe, reliable ground operations.
Priorities for 2027
Looking ahead to 2027, GIC’s priorities are to establish the Munich operation, support its growing airline portfolio and ensure staffing, equipment and processes keep pace with the business.
“We have achieved a great deal in a difficult year, and I am grateful to our employees and customers for their commitment,” Yildirim said. “There are opportunities ahead, but we want to develop at a pace we can support properly. Our focus remains on delivering what we promise and building lasting partnerships.”
