Dnata buys big stake in En Route

Dnata, one of the world’s largest air services providers, today announced that it had acquired a majority stake in En Route International, a supplier of bakery and packaged food solutions with operations in London, Dubai and the US. En Route International has ten years’ catering experience in the travel market and has an annual turnover of £12 million. It provides a range of premium quality products and boasts a growing client list which includes British Airways, Delta and Emirates. En Route also operates key distribution centres at two of the world’s busiest airports – London Heathrow in the UK and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in the US. This latest deal represents a further investment in the airline catering sector by dnata, whose recent acquisitions in Alpha Flight Group and Wings Inflight Service extended the company’s international network to 75 airports in 39 countries. “En Route is a niche player which offers highly creative and innovative food solutions, supported by robust logistics”, said Stewart Angus, Divisional Senior Vice President, Associated Companies. “It will continue to operate independently under the charismatic leadership of its Managing Director and founder, Alison Lessmann. We look forward to developing and growing the business and to expanding its capability elsewhere”. “Becoming part of dnata brings a number of new opportunities to En Route and will undoubtedly enhance our ability to develop and distribute our products to a wider audience,” said Alison Lessmann, Managing Director, En Route. “That will enable us to both grow the business and provide greater opportunities and a secure future for our employees.”