Press Release

Gate Gourmet Builds JFK In-flight Kitchen to Serve New Delta Air Line Business

MEMPHIS, TN, January 6, 2003 - Gate Gourmet opened its new in-flight kitchen at JFK International Airport in New York on January 1, initially to accommodate new business with Delta Air Lines.

"We are pleased to be opening our second kitchen in the JFK market," said President George Alvord, Gate Gourmet Division Americas. "In today's difficult operating environment, one of our key strategies is to expand our business with our current customers."

The 92,000 sq. ft. kitchen, located at 30 Inip Dr., Inwood, NY, has the capacity to produce between 25,000 and 30,000 meals daily. Initially, Gate Gourmet's 255 employees will prepare and deliver between 8,000 to 10,000 meals per day for Delta's 14 international and 26 domestic flights. Jim LaFrance is the general manager.

MCA of Portland designed the kitchen layout with assistance from Gate Gourmet's in-house construction and engineering team. VRH Company of New York was the general contractor.

Founded in 1992, Gate Gourmet is the world's largest independent airline catering, hospitality and logistics company with dual headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland, and Reston, VA, USA. The company has substantially expanded its products and services recently through acquisitions and strategic investments. The portfolio now includes cabin service ware (deSter); comfort/entertainment items (Harmony); packaged food components assembled in central production units (Supplair); design and delivery of brand-linked customer environments (Performa); service staff recruitment and training and crew leasing (Elan); aviation services such as cabin cleaning, aircraft washing and deicing and passenger services (Fernley/IAS); catering security (Gate Safe); business applications (eGate Solutions); and supply chain optimization (partnership with Pourshins).