GIC specialises in customised in-flight catering and has more than 25 years of industry experience. The company operates near Frankfurt and continues to invest in strategic growth. However, geopolitical tensions, particularly in the Middle East, and rising energy and fuel costs create significant challenges.
Göksel Yildirim, Managing Director of GIC, said: “The geopolitical situation, particularly the situation in the Middle East, is posing serious challenges for air transportation this year, and also affects our business. The same is true of rising energy and fuel costs. Nonetheless, we have succeeded in making important, future-oriented decisions and investing strategically in growth,”
New Munich facility to produce up to 20,000 meals daily
The new production facility represents a significant milestone for GIC. The site stands at CTPark München Nord, next to Germany’s second-largest airport. Following all required regulatory approvals and permits, GIC will officially open the facility on 15 November 2026.
Production will also begin in November, supported by a team of 80 employees. The facility covers approximately 27,000 square feet. Moreover, its production capacity will reach up to 20,000 meals per day.
Yildirim explained the strategic importance of the expansion: “The expansion in Munich is an important milestone for us. The new, additional location creates the conditions necessary for us to continue growing and gives us greater flexibility. This allows us to cater to airlines both in Frankfurt and in Munich.”
Beyond Frankfurt and Munich, GIC holds an existing licence for Düsseldorf. The company also monitors developments at Berlin-Brandenburg Airport as it considers further opportunities in Germany.
Expansion into China and stronger airline partnerships
GIC also expanded its presence in China during 2026. Its first Chinese office operates in Beijing and works closely with Air China. Since spring 2026, GIC has provided catering for Air China flights from Frankfurt to Beijing-Daxing.
Additionally, the company established a partnership with China Eastern Airlines. The airline began serving GIC meals in June 2026. Meanwhile, the Beijing office ensures that both airlines receive high-quality, authentic in-flight catering that meets their expectations.
Alongside its expansion, GIC has strengthened existing airline relationships. The company extended its contracts with Air Astana and Ethiopian Airlines by another three years each. Both airlines recently received awards from Skytrax. Long-standing client Air India also received recognition from the organisation.
Furthermore, GIC expanded its cooperation with Lufthansa Cargo. The catering specialist now manages the airline’s à la carte menu service for flight crews on long-haul routes departing from Frankfurt.
Workforce growth, certifications and fleet investment
GIC’s expansion has also created additional employment opportunities. The company had 140 employees at the end of 2025. Since then, its workforce has nearly doubled to 270 team members.
To support this growth, GIC introduced a dedicated onboarding programme. It provides comprehensive training and prepares new employees for their responsibilities. Additionally, the programme familiarises staff with the company’s philosophy. This approach helps maintain consistent food quality and customer service standards.
Meanwhile, GIC renewed its ISO 9001 quality management certification. The company also secured ISO 22301 certification for business continuity management for the first time.
GIC continues to modernise its company-owned vehicle fleet. Recently, it introduced seven new catering trucks from Doll and Miles. All seven vehicles feature state-of-the-art technology.
Yildirim linked the company’s growth strategy with its responsibilities towards employees and customers: “For us, growth also means taking responsibility for our employees and customers. Desp ite all the challenges, we see potential and promising opportunities for this year and for 2027. And yet, we are not interested in pushing for further expansion at all costs. Instead, we are ensuring that our company values and standards are maintained and that new processes are well established before we take the next steps. We are putting a large amount of our focus on our new production site in Munich as well as on the collaboration with current and new airline customers.”
With its Munich facility, Chinese operations and extended airline agreements, GIC continues to pursue measured international growth. The company will prioritise operational standards, workforce development and customer partnerships as it prepares for 2027.
Tags: Göksel Yildirim GIC International Catering Munich Airport
