The microfarm, inspired by dnata’s catering facility in Melbourne allows culinary teams to cultivate herbs onsite and use them in menu development. The microfarm concept will be expanded to other catering facilities in 2026, including Brisbane, Sydney and Perth. Building on its success, dnata is set to expand the microfarm concept to additional catering facilities in 2026, including Brisbane, Sydney and Perth.At WTCE, the live installation will feature a 96-punnet microfarm cabinet, demonstrating how chefs integrate freshly harvested ingredients into menu design, with approximately 60 dishes already influenced by the initiative.Robin Padgett, CEO of dnata Catering & Retail, said: “As passenger expectations continue to evolve, airlines are placing greater emphasis on freshness, creativity and inclusivity in onboard dining.ADVERTISEMENT”Our presence at WTCE highlights how dnata is responding through initiatives such as our microfarm and the continued evolution of special meals, working closely with our partners to enhance both the quality and relevance of the onboard experience.”Elevating special meals and passenger experienceSpecial meals are a key factor in shaping passengers’ perceptions of onboard eating and can be a great way to improve overall satisfaction. dnata supports 20 special meal categories. At WTCE, attendees will experience a curated collection of dishes demonstrating culinary precision, culinary creativity and the operational expertise needed to deliver special meals consistently on a global scale. Some dishes include:Slow-cooked vegetable tagine, Freekeh pilaf and preserved lemon and date chutney.
Crab ravioli, whipped ricotta with fennel salad, kombu beurre Blanc (SFML,MOML)*
Chicken with lemon garlic and sumac, green beans, braised lentils, macadamia dukkah, and cherry tomato confit. (HNML*, MOML*, DBML*)
Sweetcorn pannacotta with charred roasted corn, miso butterscotch, and croute. (VLMV*, GFML*, MOML*)
Catering and retail solutions integrated
dnata’s onboard retail solution will also be showcased, highlighting how integrated retail and catering solutions can support airline differentiation, unlock ancillary revenue and enhance airline differentiation. The company currently supports five major airline retailers globally, providing end-to-end program management underpinned by industry-leading data and analysis. dnata’s strategic supply chain teams manage over US$200m in retail stock and power more than 40 million transactions per year across its retail programs.
WTCE is a leading industry event.
WTCE is a leading global event for travel catering, onboard retail and passenger comfort industries. The event will take place in Hamburg, Germany, between 14-16 April 2026.
