dnata Secures Major Inflight Catering Deals with HNA Group Airlines for Key Australian Routes
(IN SHORT) dnata has won three long-term contracts to provide inflight catering services to Hainan Airlines, Tianjin Air, and Beijing Capital Airlines (formerly part of HNA Group) at Melbourne International Airport and Sydney International Airport. The contracts will see dnata produce approximately 380,000 meals per year for flights operating between Melbourne and China, which serve about 200,000 passengers annually across 19 weekly services. This marks the third HNA Group airline to partner with dnata in Australia, following recent agreements with Hainan Airlines and Tianjin Air. Mark Stubbings, Chief Commercial Officer of dnata Catering & Retail Australia, highlighted the company’s commitment to delivering premium service, emphasizing the professionalism of dnata’s teams and the successful expansion of their operations. In addition to these contracts, dnata already serves over 40 airlines at nine airports in Australia, uplifting over 60 million meals annually in the local market. Globally, dnata’s catering operations produce more than 110 million meals a year, serving a diverse range of carriers from more than 60 locations.
(PRESS RELEASE) Melbourne, Australia, 2025-Mar-17 — /Travel PR News/ — dnata, a global leader in air and travel services, has secured three multi-year contracts to deliver premium inflight catering services to Hainan Airlines, Tianjin Air, and Beijing Capital Airlines (formerly HNA Group) at two major Australian airports. At Melbourne International Airport (MEL) and Sydney International Airport (SYD), dnata’s expert catering teams will prepare and distribute an estimated 380,000 meals annually for these airlines, ensuring passengers enjoy a memorable dining experience on flights connecting Melbourne and China. These airlines collectively operate 19 weekly services between Melbourne and China, carrying roughly 200,000 passengers each year.
This new milestone comes on the heels of recent agreements with Hainan Airlines and Tianjin Air, making Beijing Capital Airlines the third HNA Group carrier to entrust its inflight catering needs to dnata in Australia.
Mark Stubbings, Chief Commercial Officer of dnata Catering & Retail Australia, commented, “We are thrilled to welcome Hainan Airlines, Tianjin Air, and Beijing Capital Airlines back to Australia, and we thank the HNA Group for their continued trust in our services. Successfully launching operations with these esteemed carriers is a testament to the hard work and professionalism of our teams, who consistently deliver best-in-class inflight experiences. We eagerly anticipate enhancing the travel journey for their passengers.”
dnata currently serves more than 40 airline customers across nine Australian airports, employing over 4,000 hospitality professionals to provide catering and retail services. In the financial year 2023-24 alone, dnata Catering & Retail teams uplifted over 60 million meals for more than 250,000 flights across Australia.
Globally, dnata’s catering division stands as one of the foremost providers of inflight hospitality. With a workforce of over 10,500 catering professionals, the company produces in excess of 110 million meals annually, serving full-service, low-cost, and VIP carriers from over 60 locations worldwide.
Media Contact:
dnata Public Relations
public.relations@dnata.com
Source: dnata
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