dnata Expands Aer Lingus Partnership with New Five-Year Inflight Retail Program in Ireland

dnata and Aer Lingus Strengthen Collaboration with New Retail Program

dnata Catering & Retail has announced the launch of Aer Lingus' new inflight retail program, solidifying its long-term partnership with the Irish flag carrier through a new five-year contract. This agreement expands upon an existing five-year catering arrangement, integrating retail services into dnata's comprehensive offerings for Aer Lingus. The initiative, effective November 24, 2025, aims to enhance the passenger experience across more than 180 daily flights departing from key Irish airports including Dublin, Shannon, Cork, and also Manchester.

Enhanced Inflight Retail Experience

Under the terms of the new contract, dnata will assume full responsibility for the end-to-end management of the inflight retail program. This includes crucial aspects such as product sourcing, procurement, warehousing, and the provision of advanced retail technology. The refreshed retail offering will feature a curated selection of both Irish and international brands, reflecting Aer Lingus' commitment to local heritage and global appeal. Notable Irish brands to be featured include Sculpted by Aimee, Tan Organic, BPerfect, and The Smooth Company, alongside fresh Irish sandwiches and wraps from Deli-Lites.

The program also incorporates seasonal items and leverages a digital version of Aer Lingus' 'Bia' magazine, allowing travelers to browse products before their flight. Onboard purchases will be facilitated by dnata's integrated retail technology ecosystem, which supports contactless payments, real-time analytics, and self-serve reporting. This technological integration is designed to optimize the airline's offerings and streamline operations.

Strategic Benefits and Operational Excellence

Robin Padgett, CEO of dnata Catering & Retail, emphasized the strategic importance of this expanded partnership, stating, '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.' He added that the program is designed to deliver a 'modern, data-driven retail programme that celebrates Irish brands, improves efficiency and enhances passenger choice.'

Adrian Dunne, Chief Operations Officer at Aer Lingus, highlighted the operational advantages, noting that the addition of inflight retail to the existing partnership will 'drive significant operational benefits, whilst enhancing our customer experience at the same time.' The program will be supported by a new crew iOS app, enabling a data-driven product range tailored to customer preferences.

dnata's Long-Standing Presence in Ireland

dnata's relationship with Aer Lingus and its presence in Ireland has been substantial. Since 2020, dnata has been providing inflight catering services to Aer Lingus from a state-of-the-art facility in Dublin Airport Logistics Park. This facility significantly quadrupled dnata's catering capacity in the Irish capital, enabling the delivery of up to 40,000 inflight meals daily. The company's commitment to the Irish aviation industry is further demonstrated by its operations in Shannon and Cork, and its global network serving over 120 airlines across more than 60 locations worldwide.