Saudi Arabia In-Flight Catering Services Market Overview, 2030

In Saudi Arabia, the in-flight catering services market has witnessed substantial growth in recent years, largely driven by the rapid expansion of the country’s aviation sector. As one of the key players in the Middle East's air travel industry, Saudi Arabia has seen a significant surge in passenger traffic, both for domestic and international flights. Major airports such as King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah and King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh are crucial transit hubs connecting the kingdom to various global destinations. This growing air traffic has, in turn, increased the demand for high-quality in-flight meals. Catering providers are now tasked with serving a wide range of culinary options, not only to satisfy local tastes but also to cater to the diverse global passenger base that travels through Saudi airports. Passengers expect to enjoy meals that meet their dietary preferences, with an emphasis on fresh, quality ingredients. Airlines offering first-class and business-class services are particularly focused on providing gourmet meals that feature premium ingredients, traditional Arabic dishes, and international cuisine that satisfies a broad spectrum of tastes. Additionally, the increasing volume of religious tourists visiting Saudi Arabia for Hajj and Umrah, both of which attract millions of pilgrims every year, has further emphasized the need for specialized catering services.

According to the research report Saudi Arabia In-Flight Catering Services Market Overview, 2030, published by Bonafide Research, the Saudi Arabia In-Flight Catering Services market is expected to reach a market size of more than USD 698.32 Million by 2030.In addition to the growing demand for diverse and high-quality meals, the in-flight catering services market in Saudi Arabia is also shaped by stringent regulations and the incorporation of advanced technologies. The Saudi government has implemented rigorous standards for food safety, quality, and hygiene, ensuring that catering providers comply with both local and international standards. This regulatory framework ensures that the food served on flights is not only safe to consume but also meets the expectations of increasingly health-conscious travelers. Catering companies are continuously upgrading their operations to meet these requirements, investing in infrastructure, training, and technology. The integration of digital technologies has played a significant role in enhancing service efficiency, with airlines now offering passengers the ability to pre-select meals and customizes their orders in advance. This technological advancement allows for more accurate meal planning, better waste management, and an overall improvement in operational efficiency. In line with global sustainability trends, Saudi Arabia’s in-flight catering services market has also started embracing more eco-friendly practices. There is a noticeable shift towards reducing the environmental impact of food packaging, such as switching to biodegradable or recyclable materials, and minimizing food waste through more efficient inventory management. This transition to more sustainable practices is reflective of broader societal trends and aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 initiative, which emphasizes environmental sustainability and modernization across various sectors.

Meal options, which serve as the centerpiece of in-flight dining experiences, are thoughtfully curated to align with the duration of the flight, time of service, and passenger class. Full meals often include traditional Saudi and Middle Eastern dishes as well as international cuisines, catering to a diverse traveler base that includes pilgrims, business travelers, and tourists. These meal offerings vary greatly between economy and premium classes, with first and business class receiving multi-course menus and premium plating. Beverages, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, form an essential part of in-flight services, with choices like Arabic coffee, fruit juices, carbonated drinks, tea, and water being widely available. While most full-service carriers do not serve alcohol in adherence to local customs and regulations, premium lounges and international flights may include a broader range of drink offerings. Bakery and confectionery items such as date pastries, croissants, muffins, cookies, and cakes are commonly included in meal trays or served as standalone refreshments, reflecting a fusion of Western and local tastes. The demand for health-conscious options is also growing, and airlines are increasingly incorporating items like fresh fruits, pre-packed salads, dairy-based snacks, and nuts to cater to evolving dietary preferences, religious considerations, and passenger wellness.

Full-service carriers such as the national airline and other regional giants invest heavily in offering a comprehensive inflight dining experience that includes gourmet meals, complimentary beverages, and personalized catering tailored to passenger classes. These airlines often offer multi-tiered menu options that vary with flight duration and route, placing special emphasis on quality and presentation, particularly for business and first-class travelers. Their offerings frequently reflect a blend of traditional Saudi dishes, international cuisines, and seasonal variations, giving passengers both familiarity and culinary exploration during their journey. On the other hand, low-cost carriers operating within Saudi Arabia and across the Middle East adopt a more streamlined approach, where in-flight meals are offered as an optional paid service. These meals are generally pre-ordered or purchased on board, and focus on simple yet satisfying food like sandwiches, wraps, beverages, and pre-packaged snacks. The pricing model for such services is strategically designed to offer value without compromising entirely on quality, and some low-cost carriers are now experimenting with healthy and halal-certified snack boxes or hot meal add-ons to appeal to niche dietary preferences. As the air travel landscape in Saudi Arabia continues to expand in both domestic and international routes, especially with Vision 2030 boosting tourism and connectivity, both types of carriers are adapting their catering models to meet the needs of increasingly diverse passenger profiles, balancing cost-efficiency with culinary quality and cultural authenticity.

Outsourced catering providers form a major part of the market, supplying a vast range of food and beverage items to various airlines through highly organized logistics systems. These third-party providers are equipped with large-scale kitchens, standardized safety protocols, and regionally attuned menu development, ensuring efficient and timely meal production for both domestic and international carriers. They are often located near major airports such as King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah or King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, facilitating smooth coordination for timely delivery and on-board loading. Their operations often include packaging, cold storage, transport, and handling, complying with halal standards and food safety regulations mandated within the Kingdom. In parallel, some major full-service airlines in Saudi Arabia maintain their own in-house catering arms, offering them greater control over meal design, ingredient sourcing, branding consistency, and service customization. These in-house divisions are often tasked with curating signature dishes and elevating passenger dining experiences in premium cabins, ensuring that meals reflect the cultural values and hospitality traditions of the region. They allow for better integration of passenger feedback into meal innovation, seasonal menu adjustments, and special meal accommodations. The combination of both provider models allows for flexibility, scalability, and responsiveness to changing passenger expectations, flight frequencies, and route expansions.

Considered in this report
• Historic Year: 2019
• Base year: 2024
• Estimated year: 2025
• Forecast year: 2030

Aspects covered in this report
• In Flight Catering Services Market with its value and forecast along with its segments
• Various drivers and challenges
• On-going trends and developments
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic recommendation

By Food Type
• Meals
• Beverages
• Bakery & Confectionery
• Others (snacks, fruits, salads, dairy items)

By Flight Type
• Full-Service Carriers
• Low-Cost Carriers

By Provider Type
• Outsourced Providers
• In-house Providers

The approach of the report:
This report consists of a combined approach of primary as well as secondary research. Initially, secondary research was used to get an understanding of the market and listing out the companies that are present in the market. The secondary research consists of third-party sources such as press releases, annual report of companies, analyzing the government generated reports and databases. After gathering the data from secondary sources primary research was conducted by making telephonic interviews with the leading players about how the market is functioning and then conducted trade calls with dealers and distributors of the market. Post this we have started doing primary calls to consumers by equally segmenting consumers in regional aspects, tier aspects, age group, and gender. Once we have primary data with us we have started verifying the details obtained from secondary sources.

Intended audience
This report can be useful to industry consultants, manufacturers, suppliers, associations & organizations related to agriculture industry, government bodies and other stakeholders to align their market-centric strategies. In addition to marketing & presentations, it will also increase competitive knowledge about the industry.