HMSHost International and Qatar Airways Announce Joint Venture Agreement, Includes Total Contracts Valued at €188 Million Over 7 years

Amsterdam, 14 OCTOBER 2021 – HMSHost International, global market leader in the hospitality industry for people on the move, strengthens its footprint in the Middle East through their joint venture with Qatar Airways, Skytrax rated Best Carrier worldwide. The partnership formally announces their agreement, including a 7-year contract with 14 stores at Hamad International Airport in Doha, with estimated turnover of 188 million euro, commencing in September 2021. The alliance of the two global industry titans strengthens HMSHost’s presence in the region and promises the elevation of the food & beverage offering for Qatar Airways.

Following Hamad International Airport’s (HIA) newly awarded status as Best Airport in the World, the partnership focuses on enhancing consumer experience and operational excellence. The agreement for fourteen stores includes the award of ten new stores, and the renewal of four stores already operated by HMSHost Qatar. The selection of brands added to the food & beverage (F&B) scene at the airport responds to the needs of global travellers and draws upon HMSHost International’s 50 years’ experience operating in global airports. 

“Confirming our joint venture with Qatar Airways and announcing our development of the food & beverage offering at Hamad International Airport is an important gesture as we push towards recovery. As passenger numbers return, we look forward to welcoming travellers to our carefully curated selection of food & beverage brands and signature warm service at Qatar’s world-class airport.” said Walter Seib, CEO HMSHost International.   

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: “We are pleased to collaborate with HMSHost, one of the leading global developers and managers of dining venues in the travel industry.  With this partnership, we aim to provide an unrivalled dining experience inspired by global F&B travel trends, while also meeting the needs of our most discerning passengers travelling through HIA, our home and hub, named the best airport in the world.”

Travelers to HIA will be given a world-class dining experience like no other. Set in the airport’s busy International Departures on airside, at jones social, the first of the lauded concept in an Airport, and the second of its kind in the Middle East, travellers can relax in its smooth tapas-oriented easy dining style, transporting guests from the busy airport into a chic holiday restaurant setting complete with lava stone grill. In keeping with the brand’s desire to provide the best gourmet food for everyday living, a jones express will serve its popular single origin coffees, pastries, sandwiches, salads, soups and hearty mains.  All items are made fresh daily and packaged as portable, perfect for passengers preparing to board their flights. Middle Eastern concept Comptoir Libanais will serve guests the rich tastes of Middle Eastern cuisine together with the iconic warm Arabian hospitality. Familiar for global travellers, HMSHost’s own Grab&Fly, will bring the first of its successful Amsterdam-style version of the brand to the Middle East with two kiosks at the airport, serving drinks and small bites to go for travellers on the move.

Introducing a new-style food court to the centre of the airport, The Food Park Doha brings together the best of global cuisine in a single melting pot. Self-described informal Belgian embassy of food and beer, Le Petit Belge enters the country, bringing the best of Belgian cuisine and hops culture to the airport, serving fine Belgian beverages paired with mussels through to sensational rib-eye steaks. Representing the first of its brand in Qatar, Giraffe, brings its passion for seeking out the best in global dishes, serving travellers the world on a plate from gyozas and halloumi fries through to katsu chicken curry and huevos rancheros. La Terracotta, brings travellers the satisfyingly familiar flavours attributed to the Italian cuisine, from Neapolitan and Roman pizza to cannelloni, products of fresh quality ingredients. Emerging global favourite, The Dosa Factory brings authentic Indian cuisine to the food court with the versatile favourite dosa in all forms. Coffee darling, Costa Coffee delivers on their passion for perfection, sharing their finely brewed coffee and ready-to-go snacks and sandwiches.

In addition to serving travellers on airside, Costa Coffee will open a second store at Arrivals landside, meaning a more diverse range of guests can enjoy the global brew, a great addition to HMSHost’s Harvest Market which will continue to give colours and scents of a market through their range of organic fresh and local products in Departures landside. Set in the airports Departures North Node in Airside, HMSHost’s stores including Spizzico, the Great Eastern Market, and the company’s successful Burger Federation will continue to serve guests with excellence.

-ENDS-

 

About HMSHost International:

HMSHost International is a world leader in creating dining experiences for travel venues, operating international and proprietary brands at 41 airports, 33 train stations and 7 shopping malls in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific. HMSHost is part of Autogrill Group – the world’s leading provider of food & beverage services for people on the move. Visit www.hmshost.international for more information and connect with HMSHost International on LinkedIn.

For more information on HMSHost International, please contact Cathy Jongens: cathy.jongens@hmshost.net

About Qatar Airways:

A multiple award-winning airline, Qatar Airways was recently announced as the ‘Airline of the Year’ at the 2021 World Airline Awards, managed by the international air transport rating organisation, Skytrax. It was also named ‘World’s Best Business Class’, ‘World’s Best Business Class Airline Lounge’, ‘World’s Best Business Class Airline Seat’, ‘World’s Best Business Class Onboard Catering’ and ‘Best Airline in the Middle East’. The airline continues to stand alone at the top of the industry having won the main prize for an unprecedented sixth time (2011, 2012, 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2021).

Hamad International Airport (HIA), the airline’s home and hub, was recently announced as the ‘World’s Best Airport’ in the Skytrax 2021 World Airport Awards. HIA has been steadily rising in the ‘World's Best Airports’ rankings since the start of its operations in 2014.

For further information, please contact:

Qatar Airways Group, Corporate Communications Department

Tel: +974 4022 2200

About Qatar Duty Free:

One of the largest duty free offers in the world, QDF boasts an impressive portfolio of more than 90 luxury and affordable retail outlets, as well as more than 30 restaurants and cafés at the award winning Hamad International Airport (HIA). 

Qatar Duty Free offers an extensive selection of luxury boutiques, including Bulgari, Burberry, Chloe, Dolce & Gabanna, Fendi, Gucci, Harrods, Hermès, Hublot, Loro Piana, Moncler, Tiffany & Co and Valentino, as well as its own multi-brand concept shops and duty free stores.

QDF’s retail offering is reflected in the diversity of its dedicated team of over 1,800 multi-cultural staff, who are available 24/7 to deliver an outstanding service to customers travelling through HIA.

Hamad International Airport (HIA) has revealed plans for its second expansion phase. The expansion project will include 11,720 sqm of landscaped retail and F&B space, which will enhance the multi-dimensional offerings of the five-star airport by integrating world-class art collection and refreshing environment of lush greenery with contemporary retail and dining concepts among other leisure attractions and facilities under one expansive terminal. The airport’s capacity will also increase to accommodate 53 million passengers annually by 2022.