Consolidated Agreements Include Expansion of Northwest Served Cities

ZURICH, Nov. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- gategroup announced the completion of major contract renewals with Delta Air Lines and its Northwest Airlines subsidiary as part of the carriers' continuing progress to integrate supply contracts.

The multi-year deal, encompassing more than $1 billion in revenue over several years, represents multiple contracts that expand the long-term relationship between Delta and gategroup, the leading independent global provider of onboard products and services. The deal involves core gategroup brand Gate Gourmet as well as sister companies Gate Safe, eGate Solutions, Pourshins and deSter.

"Delta is a leading customer for gategroup and its brand companies and has been for more than 50 years. We're delighted to call the world's largest airline one of our top customers," said Guy Dubois, CEO of gategroup. "The scope of this business validates gategroup's strategy of building a brand portfolio that provides end-to-end solutions to the travel industry, and demonstrates the cross-selling power of the brands," he said.

Under the new agreement, Gate Gourmet retained over 40 business markets worldwide and expanded catering business with Northwest at the following international locations where both airlines have service: Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport.

In a similar objective to align catering security with catering and provisioning operations, Gate Safe will perform catering screening and security processes for Delta, Northwest and Delta Connection at all U.S. locations served by Gate Gourmet, following a phased transition.

eGate Solutions and Pourshins, through an extension of their existing agreements, will continue to serve Delta for a number of years. eGate Solutions provides in-flight catering management services for Delta through its InFlight Exchange (IFX) ®( )business applications suite. Pourshins, meanwhile, manages the majority of Delta's and Northwest's global in-flight food, beverage and equipment sourcing and logistics.

Delta also has awarded new business and extended existing agreements with deSter to supply certain in-flight equipment and products including the BusinessElite line of in-flight service products. deSter developed these products exclusively for Delta in collaboration with gategroup's design center potmstudios. The re-designed chinaware, flatware and linen products were introduced globally to Delta's BusinessElite passengers in 2008 and rolled out to Northwest in 2009.

"Consistency of product delivery is a key component of Delta's brand experience for our customers," said Joanne Smith, Delta's senior vice president - In-flight Services. "The complete integration of catering solutions is another important step in bringing together the best of Delta and Northwest."

"Our commitment to Delta and Northwest to create the best possible service is aligned with their merger strategy, and we have dedicated a number of resources to facilitate these very important transitions," Dubois said. "We look forward to mutually beneficial opportunities and a strengthened business relationship throughout this transition and into the next decade."

About gategroup

gategroup is the leading independent global provider of onboard services to companies that serve people on the move. gategroup comprises 11 member companies, including its core brand Gate Gourmet. The company's world-class capabilities are focused in catering and hospitality; provisioning and logistics; and onboard solutions. Shares of Zurich-based gategroup are traded on the SIX Swiss Exchange under the symbol GATE. Please visit www.gategroup.com.

About Delta Air Lines

Delta Air Lines, the world's No. 1 airline, serves more than 170 million passengers each year. With its unsurpassed global network, Delta, its Northwest subsidiary and the Delta Connection carriers offer service to 355 destinations in 64 countries on six continents. Delta employs more than 70,000 employees worldwide and operates a mainline fleet of nearly 800 aircraft. A founding member of the SkyTeam global alliance, Delta participates in the industry's leading trans-Atlantic joint venture with Air France KLM. Including its worldwide alliance partners, Delta offers customers more than 16,000 daily flights, with hubs in Amsterdam, Atlanta, Cincinnati, Detroit, Memphis, Minneapolis-St. Paul, New York-JFK, Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Salt Lake City and Tokyo-Narita.

The airline's service includes the SkyMiles frequent flier program, the world's largest airline loyalty program; the award-winning BusinessElite service; and more than 50 Delta Sky Clubs in airports worldwide. Customers can check in for flights, print boarding passes, check bags and flight status at http://www.delta.com/

SOURCE gategroup

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