Emirates and Dublin-based, family-owned Butlers Chocolates have secured a deal that will see one of Ireland’s favourite chocolate brands served to First Class customers onboard all Emirates flights. The new supply deal will see an estimated 50,000 Butlers luxury chocolate bars per month taking their place in First Class cabin goodie baskets at 40,000 feet all over the world from today.
The airline, which has partnered with a number of Irish brands over the past 18 months, selected a variety of flavours from the Butlers signature solid chocolate bar collection, including Mixed Berries white chocolate and Honeycomb Crisp milk chocolate.
Butlers Chocolates began in Dublin’s Lad Lane in 1932 and the chocolate brand is now available in more than 30 countries. The business employs over 400 staff in its Clonshaugh head office and production facility in north Dublin, and in Butlers Chocolate Cafés countrywide.
Enda Corneille, Country Manager Ireland, Emirates, said that product quality, excellent sustainability credentials, existing UAE market experience and, of course, great taste, were key factors in the decision to work with Butlers. “I am very familiar with the Butlers brand and I think that our First Class customers, of all nationalities, will really enjoy the luxury bars as part of our award-winning, onboard food offering.”
Karl Marnane, Sales Director, Butlers Chocolates, said: “This contract will mean that there is a little taste of Ireland travelling east from Dublin to almost 160 destinations, which is fantastic for the brand. The visibility this partnership affords Butlers provides a huge boost to our own global strategy. We are proud of our product and the work we have done to ensure that Butlers is part of the Emirates First Class experience.” The deal followed a series of meetings at Bord Bia’s Marketplace International trade event in Dublin, earlier this year, at which 550 buyers from 50 countries met with Irish food producers.
Butlers joins a long line-up of high-quality Irish brands with which Emirates Group is already working, including Keogh’s Crisps, Voya, Killowen Yogurt, Jameson Irish Whiskey, and Gahan Meats.
Quality Irish Beef
Locally sourced beef fillets can also be found as part of Emirates’ regionally-inspired menu on the Dublin to Dubai route in First Class and Business Class. The Irish beef is sourced from Gahan’s, one of the most respected purveyors of meat in the greater Dublin area, and is served with vegetables, all of which are sourced from Irish suppliers.
Irish Spirit
Emirates recently refreshed its spirits offering and onboard spirits are served complimentary across all classes and routes. In addition to exporting Irish whiskey from Dublin, Emirates also serves the world-famous Jameson Irish Whiskey brand. In the past year, Emirates has invested US$10.5 million (€9.2 million) in its spirits and beers programme and there are now more than 30 spirits, aperitifs and liquors available on Emirates flights.
Keogh’s Crisps
Bord Bia’s Marketplace was also the conduit for the Keogh’s Crisps contract with Emirates, which will see an estimated one million bags being served onboard annually. The premium Irish brand is now available to First Class passengers and was selected by the Emirates Group following a blind tasting of 15 different brands, of which Keogh’s came out top. Keogh’s Crisp flavours selected by the Emirates Group include Shamrock & Sour Cream, Cheese & Onion, and Lightly Salted, with seasonal variations such as Turkey and Stuffing being introduced for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Voya
In addition to food, a range of organic beauty products from Strandhill in Sligo is also available on Emirates flights and in the airline’s airport lounges. Voya is one of Ireland’s favourite beauty brands and is made from sustainable, organic seaweed that has been hand-harvested from the Atlantic seabed. Having considered, trialled and tested multiple brands from around the world, Emirates selected Voya as its premium beauty partner of choice. The exclusive range for First Class and Business Class passengers includes shampoo, conditioner, body wash, cleanser, body moisturiser, hand wash, soap and hand cream in rosemary & mint, lavender & rosemary, and lime & mandarin variants.
Devine’s
“Emirates also works with Dublin-owned transport company Devine’s, which operates around 200 daily chauffeur-driven airport transfers for our First Class and Business Class passengers, on our two outbound and two inbound flights, every day,” said Enda Corneille.
