India Inflight Catering Market by Region, Competition, Forecast & Opportunities, 2021-2031F

The India Inflight Catering Market was valued at USD 231.69 Million in 2025, and is projected to reach USD 494.12 Million by 2031, rising at a CAGR of 13.45%. 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:

• Onboard Catering
• Ground Catering
• Special Meals

India Inflight Catering Market, By Airline Type:

• Full-Service Airlines
• Low-Cost Carriers
• Charter Airlines

India Inflight Catering Market, By Meal Type:

• Vegetarian
• Non-Vegetarian
• Vegan
• Gluten-Free
• Others

India Inflight Catering Market, By Region:

• North
• South
• West
• East

Competitive Landscape

Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies present 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).

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