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Dubai: Alpha Airports Group Plc, one of the world's leading aviation support companies, has won a 10-year contract with Sharjah International Airport to provide exclusive flight catering and ancillary services to airlines, the company said in a statement.
Alpha said it will invest nearly Dh3.5 million (£500,000) to boost its annual sales of Dh35 million (£5 million).
"Alpha plans to underpin this extension of its Middle East operations by the establishment of a partnership with Air Arabia, the leading regional low-cost airline based at Sharjah International Airport, in order to explore mutually beneficial development opportunities," the statement said.
Alpha currently operates flight catering services in Jordan. However, this is the company's first foray into the UAE the region's largest and fastest growing aviation services market.
Step forward
"This is a significant agreement for Sharjah International Airport as we seek to increase our market share and to be able to offer the highest standards of service to our airport travellers is imperative. We are confident that the combination of Alpha's international experience and innovative solutions as a specialist support service provider will enhance our total service offering," Shaikh Abdullah Bin Mohammad Al Thani, chairman of the Department of Civil Aviation, Sharjah, said in a statement.
Alpha earlier tied up with Sharjah-based Kreol Trading to operate a duty free shop at Kochi International Airport.
A.S. Lal, managing director of Alpha-Kreol joint venture told Gulf News: "Sharjah is a growing aviation market. Our partners Alpha will benefit from the growth, especially with increasing number of flights to India, by Indian Airlines and Air Arabia."
In addition to a comprehensive range of flight catering services, Alpha will also take responsibility for the Business and First Class airline lounges and will be introducing its innovative World News Café brand to the newly developed and much expanded airport terminal.
Peter Williams, CEO of Alpha Airports Group Plc, said: "This extension to our business in the Middle East allows Alpha to exploit the expertise it has developed in Jordan over the last five years. We are very pleased to be the lead airline caterer to have won the contract for this emerging airport."
Retail pact
Alpha Airports on Tuesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding to form a joint venture with Pantaloon Retail (India) Ltd, part of the Future Group of India to expand its operation in the growing Indian market, the company said.
India is one of the world's fastest growing aviation markets with international traffic growing at 15 per cent and domestic traffic growing at 28 per cent last year. Over 90 per cent of India's total traffic is through its top 10 airports.
"Alpha and Pantaloon Retail are discussing the travel retailing and food and beverage opportunities at Bangalore, Hyderabad and Delhi airports. Mumbai airport is expected to issue its requests for proposals shortly. The government is considering plans for the privatisation of Chennai and Kolkata airports," the company said.
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