QATAR. HMSHost International and Qatar Airways Group have formalised a seven-year joint-venture contract to develop the food & beverage offering at Hamad International Airport. It covers 14 outlets including standalone and food court locations both landside and airside, with estimated sales of €188 million over the term. Four outlets are already operated by HMSHost with a further ten to open.
As reported, the partners signed a Memorandum of Understanding in April to develop airport dining at Hamad International, which was recently named Best Airport in the World by Skytrax.
In a statement the partners said: “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.” The agreement focuses on “enhancing consumer experience and operational excellence”, they added, as they pledged “a world-class dining experience like no other”.
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.”
HMSHost International CEO Walter Seib said: “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.”
Highlights include Jones Social, the first such concept at an airport and the second in the Middle East, which will be set in the airport’s International Departures area airside, It houses a “tapas-oriented easy dining style” akin to “a chic holiday bar”.
Deepening the brand’s presence at the airport, Jones the Grocer Express will feature portable options from a ‘grab and go’ counter alongside the well-known Australian brand’s all-day café menu and artisan cheese, charcuterie boards and house beverages.
Comptoir Libanais will serve Middle Eastern cuisine while HMSHost’s own brand Grab&Fly will open two kiosks, serving drinks and small bites.
The Food Square Doha is a “new-style food court” that brings together a range of international cuisines. Self-described informal “Belgian embassy of food and beer” La Petit Belge enters the market here, serving a menu that spans Belgian beers paired with mussels through to rib-eye steaks. Representing the entry of its brand to Qatar, Giraffe features dishes from around the world serving gyozas and halloumi fries through to katsu chicken curry and Huevos Rancheros.
Bespoke concept La Terracotta brings travellers flavours of Italy, from pizza to gnocchi. Popular brand The Dosa Factory brings Indian cuisine to the food court with the versatile dosa in multiple forms. Coffee brand Costa Coffee is present with its coffee menu and ready-to-go snacks and sandwiches.
Costa Coffee will open a second store in arrivals landside. This is in addition to HMSHost’s Harvest Market with its range of organic fresh and local products in departures landside. Set in the airport’s departures North Node airside, HMSHost’s stores including Spizzico, the Great Eastern Market and Burger Federation.
