Sodexo takes off with new Emirates Aviation Experience

Sodexo, the world’s largest services company, has been contracted to provide front-of-house, catering and retail services at the UK’s first public-facing commercial flight simulator tourist attraction which opened this summer. The Emirates Aviation Experience, located at the south side of the Emirates Air Line in North Greenwich, is the UK’s first and only exhibition dedicated to modern aircraft, and offers visitors the chance to ‘fly’ an Airbus A380 – the world’s largest passenger airliner. Sodexo is providing front-of-house and ticketing services, cleaning, the retail shop, and the onsite café, offering an international menu in line with a global dining theme, and Rhodes of Greenwich baked goods and cakes. Over 20 jobs have been created for the new Sodexo contract, with 80 per cent of recruits coming from the local community through the Newham Workplace initiative. Every staff member undergoes a full week’s induction, including detailed, two-day customer service training. The Emirates Aviation Experience features the world’s first public-facing commercial flight simulators including two Airbus 380s and two Boeing 777s, utilising full landscape visuals and allowing participants to practice their take-off and landing skills. Sodexo has an existing partnership with Emirates, managing their customer lounge as part of a larger contract at Gatwick Airport. Jeremy Dicks, managing director, Sodexo Prestige Sports and Leisure, said: “The café design reflects a modern, clean, contemporary high-end retail environment and our menu offers a global dining theme in line with the all-round experience. We are proud to be working with the Newham Workplace scheme to provide employment opportunities for the local community. We look forward to building on our partnership with Emirates at this exciting new London tourist attraction.” Christian Waltl, mobilisation manager at Emirates Aviation Experience, said: “Sodexo was selected via a competitive tender because of their track record as a high-quality service provider not only in catering but also in facility and operations management. Their service is key to position the Aviation Experience as one of the leading new visitor attractions within the London leisure market.”