Gategroup

13.7.2021

Question for written answer  E-003547/2021/rev.1
to the Commission
Rule 138
Özlem Demirel (The Left)

In 2020, the Commission authorised the takeover by Gategroup of the European operations of Lufthansa Service Group (LSG) subject to certain conditions, the aim being to prevent the emergence of a virtual monopoly at airports including that in Frankfurt. Gategroup undertook to sell off contracts for the provision of on-board catering services, facilities, equipment, staff and certain intangible assets. Questions are now being raised as to whether, at Frankfurt Airport for example, these conditions have actually been met.

Is it compatible with the monopoly-related undertakings given by Gategroup that:

• 1.as at 1 July 2021 the company Flight Delight, working out of the former Gategroup business premises in Kelsterbach near Frankfurt and under the supervision of former Gategroup managers, should have taken over operations with as yet only one single Gategroup client (Air Canada)?
• 2.Gategroup should be supplying Flight Delight with most elements of the on-board meals the latter provides and should still be responsible for the production and loading of catering items such as beverages and dry stores and for the cleaning of the equipment used?
• 3.Gategroup should be responsible for transport, quality control and on-site communication with clients, acceptance of orders and therefore also invoicing for Flight Delight, meaning that Flight Delight has not taken over Air Canada as a client, but only part of Gategroup’s business, which is being outsourced only for Air Canada?