Press Release

Gate Gourmet Teams Up with Maersk Air

Copenhagen, July 1, 2003 - Gate Gourmet Europe and Maersk Air launch the new in-flight service concept "Airway Café". This concept is part of Gate Gourmet's world-wide direct-to-passenger sale product. Maersk follows a trend in changing from traditional airline meal offerings to restaurant style choice.

In close cooperation with Maersk Air, Gate Gourmet Denmark developed an impressive range of quality products. Gate Gourmet manages the whole offering and operates the business on an outsourced basis, owning the products and providing the Maersk Crew with training and sales incentives.

The in-flight meals served are the same in all newly introduced Maersk classes (Plus, Basis, Basis Flex) and include Gourmet Sandwiches, fresh Salads, fresh Fruit, breakfast specials, Hot Snacks and Pizza, along with a varied beverage selection. Maersk's "Plus"-passengers are able to choose from the entire range on a complimentary basis. Passengers travelling in "Basis"-class have the opportunity to purchase the same products.

Online ordering

Maersk's new in-flight programme also includes an internet based pre-ordering facility, accessible through the airline's web site (www.maersk-air.com), where, in addition to the regular product range, sophisticated food offers (currently a sushi meal and a roast beef based salad) can be pre-ordered to be delivered to the passenger's seat on the flight. This state-of-the-art web based ordering facility was developed and is maintained by e-gatematrix, a division of Gate Gourmet.

More expertise

Recognizing what seems to be an accelerating shift in the market, Gate Gourmet Europe strengthened its senior management ranks, adding much required retail management and consumer goods marketing skills to the team of Division President Jonathan E. Stent-Torriani. Philip Eayres, formerly with Walker's PepsiCo, Diageo, Shell and Bain & Co business consultants, joined the team as Vice President Business Development (Retail) on July 1st 2003, bringing with him a wealth of experience in retail category management and consumer goods marketing.

The addition of Maersk Air brings the number of such "sales on board schemes" managed by Gate Gourmet Europe for its customers to a total of 6 airlines based in 5 Euro-pean countries -- with a total of about 80 aircraft.

Note to Editors:

Gate Gourmet is a leading airline catering company. Its turnover in 2002 amounted to CHF 2.8 billion. With the world's most important airlines among its customers, Gate Gourmet produces over 208 million meals per year and employs a staff of about 22,000 in its 123 flight kitchens. The international enterprise is located in 31 countries on all continents and comprises also e-gatematrix (supply chain management), Gatesafe (safety service) and FiveOceans Inflight (inflight service).

Further Information:

Connie Voigt, Director Corporate Communications Gate Gourmet International
Head Offices Zurich Media Line: +41 43 812 7117
cvoigt@gategourmet.com