Growing demand for halal-certified food by airlines is motivating providers worldwide to develop new products and boost their production capacities.

Worldwide, the spending on international halal food and way of life items is approximated to rise by 10.8 percent every year until 2019, developing a global market worth United States $3.7 trillion, according to a Global Islamic Economy Report.

The halal food sector alone is estimated to grow to US$ 2.537 trillion by 2019, up from US$ 795 billion in 2014, which is 21.2 per cent of worldwide food expense.

Airlines worldwide have actually aspired to tap into this growing sector.

Matthieu ROUSSEL, Commercial Director, Catering, North America, for Delta Daily Food Canada, which produces and provides frozen halal-certified food to over 30 airline companies worldwide, stated: "There has been a strong development in demand for frozen halal food in airline companies. We have actually witnessed a double-digit growth in this requirement within the last one year and in 2016, we are expecting to supply over 40 million meals."

ROUSSEL stated he anticipates this development to continue "due to the enormous increase in the variety of air passengers, and, at the same time, with the airline companies concentrating on catering to the consumer segment that prefers halal-certified food".

Delta Dailyfood, which participated in the just recently concluded World Travel Catering and Onboard Services exposition Middle East (WTCEME), said: "WTCEME is a platform for us to reinforce and establish contacts in this area, which has a growing need for our items. We have had a very successful participation."

WTCEME witnessed more than 70 exhibitors from 20 countries, utisiling the platform to introduce their brand-new products and innovations to the aviation industry in the Middle East.

Amid rising number of international passengers worldwide, approximated to cross 7 billion by 2030 according to IATA, airlines in the region are keen to ensure a comfy and positive passenger experience. Catering to the food preferences of the passengers and offering them innovative and high quality food alternatives is an important aspect determining happiness of passengers.

Farnaz Farzanrad, Business Development Manager, Distinguish Union General Trading, which introduced 'Acao', an organic, vegan and all natural "smart soft drink" at the program, said: "Air travellers, especially those who travel frequently, are growing increasingly health conscious and would want to stay healthy even as they are on the move. Our item provides them the right choice to satiate their thirst- they can have all the taste without packing on excess calories or sugars. We are really eager to use the inflight catering and airport lounges and WTCEME has been an outstanding platform. There have been a great deal of serious enquiries and we are hoping for some offers to materialize."

Ahmed El Deeb, channel Manager, Unilever, said: "We are getting involved as the catering channel and airlines are our primary focus. We are presenting a couple of developments in the savoury and tea sectors and WTCEME has been a perfect platform for that."

Daniyal Qureshi, Group Exhibitions Director, Reed, organisers of the Airport Show 2016, and its co-located events Global Airport Leaders Forum (GALF) and WTCEME, stated: "Airlines and airports in the area are not only pursuing an aggressive development program, they have actually also set standards in hospitality and offering the very best quality of services. WTCEME plays a vital function in delivering this high service quality, by bringing the providers and buyers on a common platform and helping them deal with constantly altering passenger requirements."

WTCEME, a co-located event with the Airport Show, will be held next year from May 15-17, 2017.