Travel Food Services Limited (TFS), a leading player in the Indian airport Travel QSR and Lounge sectors, has secured a significant contract with Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL). The company has been awarded a license to establish and manage food and beverage outlets, a lounge, and a bar in the security hold area of the Domestic Terminal (T1) at Cochin International Airport.

Contract Details

Strategic Importance

This contract win holds strategic importance for TFS:

• Cochin International Airport is India's 8th busiest airport, handling over 11 million passengers in FY2024-25.
• With this addition, TFS now has a presence in 14 of the 15 largest airports in India.
• The company's system-wide operations now span 454 Travel QSRs and 37 lounges across India, Malaysia, and Hong Kong.

Company's Perspective

Varun Kapur, Managing Director and CEO of Travel Food Services Limited, expressed pride in the contract award, stating, "We are proud to have been awarded the concession to operate the Travel QSRs and Lounge at the Cochin Airport's Domestic terminal (T1), which is one of the busiest airports in India with strong growth potential. TFS plans to bring an exciting mix of brands to the Cochin Airport and look forward to creating a delightful travel experience for passengers."

About Cochin International Airport

Cochin International Airport stands out not only for its passenger traffic but also for its commitment to sustainability:

• It is the world's first airport to be powered entirely by solar energy, achieving complete power neutrality.
• The airport facilitates direct connectivity to multiple destinations through 27 operating airline companies.

TFS Company Profile

Travel Food Services Limited, founded by K Hospitality Corp and partnered with UK-listed SSP Group plc, brings a wealth of experience to the table:

• K Hospitality Corp contributes 50 years of expertise in the F&B industry across the Indian sub-continent.
• SSP Group plc adds 60 years of rich experience in the global travel retail market.

TFS continues to transform the travel experience for passengers through its diverse range of cuisines and formats, including restaurants, cafes, bars, food courts, and lounges.

This latest contract reinforces TFS's position as a key player in the airport F&B sector and demonstrates its continued growth strategy in India's busiest airports.

Travel Food Services Limited (TFSL) has announced the termination of its extended arrangement with Dreamfolks Services Limited for providing lounge access services, effective September 15, 2025. This development comes as a significant shift in the travel services landscape, potentially impacting both companies and their customers.

Background of the Agreement

The original Lounge Services Agreement between TFSL and Dreamfolks was executed on July 1, 2024, with an effective date of April 1, 2024. The agreement, which was set to expire on March 31, 2025, had been extended beyond its initial term. Under this arrangement, Dreamfolks acted as an aggregator for banks and networks, facilitating lounge access services for various lounges operated by Travel Food Services.

Reasons for Termination

According to the disclosure made by Travel Food Services Limited, the termination follows unsuccessful attempts to re-negotiate the commercial terms of the agreement. Despite efforts from both parties to reach a mutually beneficial arrangement, they were unable to come to a consensus.

Impact on Business Operations

TFSL has stated that the termination of the agreement with Dreamfolks will not have a significant impact on its business operations. The company has already taken proactive steps to ensure continuity of services:

1. Direct Engagement: TFSL, through its wholly-owned subsidiary Eliteassist Technology and Services Private Limited, has initiated direct engagements with banks and networks.
2. Enhanced Efficiency: The company views this change as an opportunity to enhance service efficiency for its customers.
3. Fintech Evolution: TFSL sees this move as a step towards embarking on a new phase in its fintech evolution.

Future Outlook

While the termination of this agreement marks the end of a business relationship between TFSL and Dreamfolks, it also signals a strategic shift for Travel Food Services Limited. By directly engaging with banks and networks, TFSL aims to streamline its operations and potentially offer improved services to its customers.

The travel and hospitality industry will be watching closely to see how this change affects the lounge access landscape and whether it leads to any innovations or improvements in customer service within the sector.

As the effective date of termination is set for September 15, 2025, both companies have ample time to adjust their operations and communicate any changes to their customers and partners. Stakeholders will be keen to observe how this development influences the competitive dynamics in the travel services market, particularly in the domain of airport lounge access services.