Kobe Bussan is entering the inflight catering business and aims to develop it into a second core business by establishing the joint venture MEAL HUB with Gourmet Kineya and acquiring LSG APAC, Lufthansa's inflight catering division.
Kobe Bussan, whose core business is the Gyomu Super supermarket chain, has announced plans to enter the inflight catering business. It has established the joint venture MEAL HUB with restaurant chain Gourmet Kineya and is moving ahead with the acquisition of LSG APAC. This positions inflight catering as a new growth driver alongside Gyomu Super. Kobe Bussan's sales total approximately ¥550 billion, of which Gyomu Super alone accounts for approximately 96%.
The inflight catering business is expected to grow as global demand for air travel expands, and the company aims to position it as more than an ancillary service provided by airlines. IATA expects air travel demand to expand over the medium to long term, supporting expectations for growth in the global inflight catering market.
The acquisition is being pursued against the background of LSG APAC supplying inflight meals from kitchens near airports to approximately 200 airlines. The plan is to establish a new operating structure through the joint venture with Gourmet Kineya and extend its procurement capabilities, product development expertise and cost competitiveness into the inflight catering market.
Looking ahead, the company expects competitiveness to depend on delivering value tailored to individual passengers, including allergy-friendly meals, consideration for religious and cultural requirements, and premium menus for health-conscious customers, while taking into account market changes such as the expansion of low-cost carriers and the growing adoption of paid menus.