AirAsia's in-flight bubble teas expected to help boost F& B growth

KUALA LUMPUR, July 5 (Bernama) -- Low-cost carrier AirAsia Bhd is upbeat of the growth of its food and beverage unit, expecting it to contribute seven per cent to its revenue by year end from the current five per cent. Its confidence follows a collaborative move with specialist tea maker Chatime to offer the world's first and only in-flight bubble tea. The three-year partnership is set to provide a unique experience to AirAsia's customers, AirAsia's Regional Head, Catering and In-Flight Business Shireen Chia said. Chatime's two speciality bubble tea drinks -- Roasted Milk Tea with Red Bean and Mango Green Tea with Rainbow Jelly -- are now available to 48 destinations on flights operated by AirAsia with the airline code AK. The destinations include India, Hong Kong, Thailand and the Philippines. "The bubbles last only for less than three to four hours, so if both parties manage to work out ways to have them onboard, we are confident of surpassing seven per cent growth. "In the next few months, we will be looking into changing the bubble tea selection and introducing a pre-online booking method," Chia told reporters at the launch of the collaboration here on Thursday. Chatime currently has 65 outlets nationwide since its inception in 2010, revolutionising and modernising the way Malaysians approach tea drinking. Its managing director Bryan Loo said the idea to introduce tea drinking on AirAsia's flights was in line with the company's vision to serve every corner of Malaysia. -- BERNAMA