IRELAND. dnata Catering & Retail has launched Aer Lingus’ new inflight retail programme under a five-year contract.
The agreement deepens its long-standing partnership with the Irish flag carrier, adding the retail element to its existing five-year catering agreement.
The expanded remit covers more than 180 daily flights from Dublin, Shannon, Cork and Manchester, with dnata taking full responsibility for product sourcing, procurement, warehousing and retail technology.
The new programme centres on a refreshed, commercially focused retail range featuring a mix of Irish and international brands.
Local names including Sculpted by Aimee, Tan Organic, BPerfect and The Smooth Company headline the offer. Seasonal items form part of the launch, including holiday-themed gift options.
Aer Lingus’ digital Bia magazine now enables travellers to browse ahead of travel, with onboard purchases powered by dnata’s integrated retail technology ecosystem. The system supports contactless payments, real-time analytics and self-serve reporting to help Aer Lingus optimise its offer and streamline operations.
dnata Catering & Retail CEO Robin Padgett said, “This partnership takes our collaboration with Aer Lingus to the next level – uniting our expertise in catering, retail and technology to create an exceptional onboard experience.
“Together, we’re delivering a modern, data-driven retail programme that celebrates Irish brands, improves efficiency and enhances passenger choice.”
Aer Lingus Chief Operations Officer Adrian Dunne commented, “The addition of inflight retail to the existing partnership we have with dnata will drive significant operational benefits, whilst enhancing our customer experience at the same time.
“The programme will be delivered via a new crew iOS app, which will allow for a data-driven product range tailored to our customers’ preferences and proudly showcasing a wide selection of Irish brands.”
The new retail programme is expected to serve more than 10.5 million passengers annually, which dnata noted opens further opportunities for innovation across Aer Lingus’ onboard retail and catering operations. ✈
