Emirates Flight Catering transforms data management for efficiency

Emirates Flight Catering is adopting a new cloud-based master data management platform from Informatica to enhance the efficiency, transparency and sustainability of its operations. The move is aimed at improving operational visibility and data governance across one of the world's largest catering businesses, which delivers over 225,000 meals daily.

Data consolidation

The new Multidomain Master Data Management (MDM) solution will serve to integrate Emirates Flight Catering's product, supplier and customer data. This is expected to address issues with data fragmentation and enable more effective collaboration with over 300 suppliers. The platform consolidates information from multiple sources, creating a centralised system that can support streamlined procurement, stock control and production planning processes.

"At Emirates Flight Catering, accurate, real-time data is at the heart of every ingredient, recipe, meal and decision. Partnering with Informatica and adopting their cloud MDM SaaS solution empowers us to build a unified, trusted source of item data accessible across our business and our hundreds of suppliers. The transition to an AI-first and cloud-first model elevates our data governance and supplier collaboration, enabling us to streamline operations, improve visibility and accelerate sustainability initiatives. Informatica's governed material onboarding workflows and supplier self-service capabilities are key to maintaining rigorous data quality," said Tad Nadolny, Vice President, IT Information Systems, Emirates Flight Catering.

Supplier engagement

A key element of the change is the implementation of a supplier self-service portal based on Informatica's cloud platform. The portal gives suppliers direct access to standardised workflows, improving the accuracy of data submitted and reducing administrative errors. The approach is expected to shorten procurement cycles and simplify onboarding procedures for new items and suppliers.

The standardisation of processes for data onboarding and governance is also expected to help Emirates Flight Catering meet environmental, social, governance and sustainability metrics. Accurate supplier data supports traceability of ingredients and improved measurement of sustainability goals.

Operational improvements

With a unified platform, Emirates Flight Catering anticipates more effective collaboration between suppliers and internal teams. Improved stock management and agile production planning are seen as critical for meeting the precision and scale required for airline catering operations serving global clients.

The integration of AI-enabled analytics will provide predictive capabilities for inventory management, the identification of product substitutions and automated process enhancements. These features are intended to minimise waste, improve procurement efficiency and open opportunities for continuous operational improvements.

Looking ahead, Emirates Flight Catering plans to leverage both Informatica's MDM capabilities and its own data platform to automate routine processes and gain further insights into operational needs. The company already diverts over 300 tonnes of recyclable material each month and generates its own power from an 8,000-panel rooftop solar installation. With enhanced data traceability, further reductions in food waste and improved sourcing transparency are anticipated.

Industry implications

Yasser Shawky, Vice President, Emerging Markets (MEA) at Informatica, commented on the partnership's significance for the wider sector. "We're proud to partner with Emirates Flight Catering, as they are setting a global benchmark for operational excellence. This Informatica MDM SaaS partnership exemplifies how data-driven innovation transforms complex operations into intelligent, efficient and sustainable models. By enhancing supply chain visibility, governance and sustainability performance, this initiative sets a new standard for catering, driving measurable business outcomes and smarter decision-making. Working with such a forward-thinking organisation exemplifies how data can transform even the most complex operations into intelligent, adaptive and future-ready endeavours," said Shawky.