TajSATS, the airline catering arm of Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL), has opened a new inflight kitchen at Noida International Airport in Jewar, Uttar Pradesh. The facility is designed to serve both domestic and international carriers operating from the upcoming airport, positioning TajSATS to capture a larger share of the Delhi NCR catering market.
Facility Capacity and Features
Spanning 45,000 square feet, the kitchen has an initial production capacity of more than 20,000 meals per day, with the ability to scale output as demand grows. The facility incorporates advanced culinary and safety technologies, including X-ray machines and goods scanners, to ensure operational efficiency and compliance with international standards. It also features extensive bonded and airline storage areas to support long-term partnerships with clients.
A notable addition is 'The Atelier,' a dedicated tasting room where TajSATS chefs and airline partners can collaborate on developing gourmet meal offerings. This space is intended to facilitate menu innovation and customization for carriers seeking to differentiate their onboard dining experience.
Strategic Context
The opening aligns with the anticipated growth in India's aviation sector, particularly as Noida International Airport prepares to commence operations. The airport is expected to relieve congestion at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi and serve as a hub for both full-service and low-cost carriers. Akasa Air has already announced plans to operate from Noida International Airport, with a route to Navi Mumbai, signaling early airline interest in the new gateway.
Manish Gupta, CEO of TajSATS, commented: “The facility marks a significant addition to TajSATS’ network, strengthening its presence in the Delhi NCR region and is a strategic step in aligning our capabilities with the next phase of aviation growth in India.”
Broader Service Expansion
Beyond airline catering, the kitchen will serve institutional and corporate clients through TajSATS' subsidiary, Nekta Food Solutions Limited. This diversification allows TajSATS to leverage its infrastructure for multiple revenue streams, including corporate canteens, event catering, and other bulk food-service contracts.
TajSATS brings over five decades of experience in airline and commercial catering. The company now operates ten facilities across India, including in Mumbai, Delhi, and Bangalore. The Noida kitchen is its first dedicated unit at the new airport, and the company expects it to become a key node in its national network.
Industry Implications
The investment underscores the growing importance of Noida International Airport as a logistics and service hub for the aviation industry. As more airlines establish operations there, demand for inflight catering, ground handling, and other ancillary services is expected to rise. TajSATS' early entry positions it to secure long-term contracts with carriers serving the airport.
The facility also highlights the trend of catering companies investing in advanced technology and dedicated collaboration spaces to meet the evolving expectations of airlines and passengers. With the Indian aviation market projected to become the world's third-largest by 2027, such investments are likely to accelerate.
For travel professionals monitoring airport infrastructure developments, the Noida kitchen represents a tangible step in the airport's maturation as a full-service aviation hub. IndiGo's recent launch of an airport transfer service with loyalty rewards further illustrates the ecosystem of services emerging around India's new airports.
