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Report
India Inflight Catering Market By Service Type (Onboard Catering, Ground Catering, Special Meals), By Airline Type (Full-Service Airlines, Low-Cost Carriers, Charter Airlines), By Meal Type (Vegetarian, Non-Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten-Free, Others), By Region, Competition, Forecast & Opportunities, 2021-2031F
Market Report I 2025-09-14 I 85 Pages I TechSci Research
Market Overview
India Inflight Catering Market was valued at USD 231.69 million in 2025 and is expected to reach USD 494.12 million by 2031 with a CAGR of 13.45% during the forecast period. The India inflight catering market is evolving rapidly as airlines focus on enhancing passenger experience through diverse food offerings and efficient meal management systems. Rising disposable incomes and increased air travel frequency are fueling demand for fresh, hygienic, and customized meal services. According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA, India, 2024), India's domestic air passenger traffic reached 157 million in 2023, a 12% increase from 2022, directly driving inflight meal demand.
Both full-service and budget carriers are expanding their inflight offerings to meet the expectations of travelers across different income groups. This shift is encouraging service providers to introduce innovative menus and healthier food choices tailored to varied dietary requirements.
According to the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI, 2023), India's airline industry contributed USD 16 billion to GDP in 2022, with catering and allied services forming a critical part of aviation-linked spending.
Growing emphasis on convenience and time efficiency is influencing airline meal planning, leading to partnerships with catering companies for consistent quality and supply chain optimization. Integration of technology such as pre-booking systems and digital menus is enabling passengers to select meal preferences before travel, enhancing service personalization. The trend of introducing specialized diets, including vegan, gluten-free, and halal meals, is further expanding the market scope. Sustainability is becoming a key focus, with efforts to reduce food waste and shift toward eco-friendly packaging solutions.
Market Drivers
Rising Passenger Traffic
The steady increase in passenger traffic across domestic and international routes is boosting demand for inflight catering services. According to the Airports Authority of India (AAI, 2023), total passenger traffic in India (domestic + international) crossed 350 million in 2023, highlighting a large consumer base for inflight catering services.
As more travelers choose air travel for business, leisure, and tourism, the requirement for consistent and quality meal services grows. Airlines are compelled to provide a variety of meals that cater to diverse passenger expectations, ranging from economy-class travelers seeking affordable yet hygienic meals to premium-class passengers demanding gourmet experiences. This rise in volume creates opportunities for catering providers to scale operations, improve supply chain efficiency, and expand menu options to meet the evolving needs of a broader customer base.
Key Market Challenges
Stringent Food Safety Regulations
Inflight catering must comply with strict safety and hygiene standards imposed by aviation and food authorities. These regulations demand rigorous monitoring, temperature control, and sanitation protocols to ensure passenger health. Any lapse can result in penalties, damaged reputations, and flight delays. Catering providers must invest heavily in infrastructure, staff training, and audits to maintain compliance. While essential for safety, these requirements increase operational costs and complexity, particularly for providers serving multiple airlines with diverse needs. Maintaining uniform quality and safety standards at high altitudes adds another challenge, making regulatory compliance a constant operational burden for the industry.
Key Market Trends
Pre-Booked and Personalized Meals
Airlines are increasingly adopting pre-booked meal services, allowing passengers to select their food preferences while booking tickets. This trend enhances convenience, minimizes food wastage, and ensures a tailored travel experience. Passengers today expect greater personalization, and digital platforms enable them to customize meals based on dietary needs such as vegan, diabetic-friendly, or low-calorie diets. Catering providers are leveraging this demand by offering diverse menus and partnering with airlines to integrate technology for meal selection. Personalized inflight meals are becoming an industry standard, reshaping passenger expectations and strengthening airline differentiation through improved food experiences and greater service flexibility.
Key Market Players
- Muthoot Skychef (Muthoot Finance Ltd)
- dnata Catering
- Emirates Flight Catering
- Gategroup
- LSG Sky Chefs
- Lufthansa Service India Pvt. Ltd
- Menzies Aviation Group
- SATS Ltd
- Sky Gourmet India Pvt. Ltd
- TajSATS Air Catering Ltd
Report Scope:
In this report, the India Inflight Catering Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:
India Inflight Catering Market, By Service Type:
o Onboard Catering
o Ground Catering
o Special Meals
India Inflight Catering Market, By Airline Type:
o Full-Service Airlines
o Low-Cost Carriers
o Charter Airlines
India Inflight Catering Market, By Meal Type:
o Vegetarian
o Non-Vegetarian
o Vegan
o Gluten-Free
o Others
India Inflight Catering Market, By Region:
o North
o South
o West
o East
Competitive Landscape
Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies presents in the India Inflight Catering Market.
Available Customizations:
India Inflight Catering Market report with the given market data, TechSci Research, offers customizations according to the company's specific needs. The following customization options are available for the report:
Company Information
- Detailed analysis and profiling of additional market players (up to five).
1. Introduction
1.1. Product Overview
1.2. Key Highlights of the Report
1.3. Market Coverage
1.4. Market Segments Covered
1.5. Research Tenure Considered
2. Research Methodology
2.1. Methodology Landscape
2.2. Objective of the Study
2.3. Baseline Methodology
2.4. Formulation of the Scope
2.5. Assumptions and Limitations
2.6. Sources of Research
2.7. Approach for the Market Study
2.8. Methodology Followed for Calculation of Market Size & Market Shares
2.9. Forecasting Methodology
3. Executive Summary
3.1. Overview of the Market
3.2. Overview of Key Market Segmentations
3.3. Overview of Key Regions
3.4. Overview of Market Drivers, Challenges, and Trends
4. India Inflight Catering Market Outlook
4.1. Market Size & Forecast
4.1.1. By Value
4.2. Market Share & Forecast
4.2.1. By Service Type Market Share Analysis (Onboard Catering, Ground Catering, Special Meals),
4.2.2. By Airline Type Market Share Analysis (Full-Service Airlines, Low-Cost Carriers, Charter Airlines),
4.2.3. By Meal Type Market Share Analysis (Vegetarian, Non-Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten-Free, Others)
4.2.4. By Region Market Share Analysis
4.2.5. By Top 5 Companies Market Share Analysis, Others (2025)
4.3. India Inflight Catering Market Mapping & Opportunity Assessment
5. India Full-Service Airlines Inflight Catering Market Outlook
5.1. Market Size & Forecast
5.1.1. By Value
5.2. Market Share & Forecast
5.2.1. By Meal Type Market Share Analysis
5.2.2. By Service Type Market Share Analysis
6. India Low-Cost Carriers Inflight Catering Market Outlook
6.1. Market Size & Forecast
6.1.1. By Value
6.2. Market Share & Forecast
6.2.1. By Meal Type Market Share Analysis
6.2.2. By Service Type Market Share Analysis
7. India Charter Airlines Inflight Catering Market Outlook
7.1. Market Size & Forecast
7.1.1. By Value
7.2. Market Share & Forecast
7.2.1. By Meal Type Market Share Analysis
7.2.2. By Service Type Market Share Analysis
8. Market Dynamics
8.1. Drivers
8.2. Challenges
9. Market Trends & Developments
10. Porters Five Forces Analysis
11. Policy & Regulatory Landscape
12. India Economic Profile
13. Disruptions: Conflicts, Pandemics and Trade Barriers
14. Competitive Landscape
14.1. Company Profiles
14.1.1. Muthoot Skychef (Muthoot Finance Ltd)
14.1.1.1. Business Overview
14.1.1.2. Company Snapshot
14.1.1.3. Products & Services
14.1.1.4. Financials (As Per Availability)
14.1.1.5. Key Market Focus & Geographical Presence
14.1.1.6. Recent Developments
14.1.1.7. Key Management Personnel
14.1.2. dnata Catering
14.1.3. Emirates Flight Catering
14.1.4. Gategroup
14.1.5. LSG Sky Chefs
14.1.6. Lufthansa Service India Pvt. Ltd
14.1.7. Menzies Aviation Group
14.1.8. SATS Ltd
14.1.9. Sky Gourmet India Pvt. Ltd
14.1.10. TajSATS Air Catering Ltd
15. Strategic Recommendations
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