Emirates boosts Dubai airport operations with Dh60m investment in new electric catering trucks

Dubai: Emirates Flight Catering (EKFC), Emirates Group's aviation catering arm, has announced a significant investment of Dh60 million ($16 million) in 53 new aircraft catering trucks. This move marks a major step in KFC's ground fleet renewal programme, which aims to introduce 120 next-generation vehicles over the next five years.

The agreement for this substantial order, EKFC's largest ever for aircraft catering trucks, has been signed with Mallaghan, with the Volvo chassis for the trucks being supplied locally by Al-Futtaim Auto and Machinery Company (FAMCO).

The new Volvo FL 250 4X2 Euro 6 aircraft catering trucks will be equipped with advanced sensors and monitoring systems to streamline ground operations for loading and unloading, ultimately enhancing efficiency, EKFC said Thursday. The adoption of the latest Euro diesel engine technologies will also contribute to a reduction in overall emissions.

In a significant step towards sustainable aviation, EKFC will collaborate closely with Mallaghan, FAMCO, and Volvo Trucks on a Proof-of-Concept (POC) electric aircraft catering truck. This initiative marks the first electric catering truck in EKFC and a regional first in sustainable aviation catering equipment.

The company's culinary facility, the largest of its kind, covers 160,000 sqm and has a production capacity of over 250,000 meals per day. The current order includes 40 trucks previously ordered from other partner providers, bringing the total number of new catering trucks to be added to EKFC's fleet within the next 12 months to 92.

Optimised for operations at Dubai International Airport, the electric truck is expected to be operational by the summer of 2026, positioning EKFC at the forefront of testing and implementing cutting-edge, emission-free ground catering technologies.

Shahreyar Nawabi, Chief Executive Officer of Emirates Flight Catering, said, "This fleet investment is a key part of our broader strategy to implement industry leading initiatives, keep pace with ever-growing demand, and strengthen EKFC's value proposition to our airline customers as a dedicated culinary partner delivering exceptional operational performance at our busy Dubai hub." 

Nawabi said, "We're also investing in the latest technologies and working closely with Mallaghan and Volvo Trucks to empower a future towards a fully electrified aircraft catering truck fleet, enabling us to reduce our carbon footprint."

He added, "The integration of the first electric aircraft catering truck next summer will mark a milestone for EKFC, reinforcing our commitment to more sustainable operations and pushing the boundaries of innovation."

Meanwhile, Ronan Mallaghan, Chief Executive Officer at Mallaghan, said, "We are pleased to partner with Emirates Flight Catering in this landmark fleet renewal, delivering its largest-ever order of high loaders and introducing the first electric high loader of its kind to the region. Including a Proof-Of-Concept electric unit marks an exciting step toward the broader electrification and modernisation of airport operations across the GCC."

EKFC currently operates a fleet of 300 aircraft catering trucks, one of the largest in the world, ensuring efficient aircraft handling to provide high-quality inflight dining experiences for over 100 airline customers at Dubai International Airport.

Ramez Hamdan, Managing Director of Al-Futtaim Industrial Equipment, added, "By partnering to introduce the region's first electric Volvo truck at Dubai Airport, alongside 52 advanced Euro 6 trucks, we are not just enhancing fleet capability, we are delivering on ESG priorities through real-world impact."