Lagardère Travel Retail has acquired Aichinger Gastro GmbH, adding Munich Airport to its portfolio as a new location. Through the purchase, the company expands its German food and beverage business by six units at the country's second-largest aviation hub. The acquisition continues the targeted expansion of its operational footprint across Germany's key commercial airports.
Founded in 2003 by Elena and Markus Aichinger, Aichinger Gastro GmbH operates all six of its dining units airside at Munich Airport. The portfolio of offerings is tailored to passenger flows and includes speciality coffees as well as proprietary culinary formats, among them the Seafood-meets-Asia concept featuring Asian-inspired cuisine.
Strategic expansion across German aviation hubs
With this transaction, Lagardère Travel Retail strengthens its position in the German travel retail and foodservice sector. The company already operates more than 200 locations nationwide across nine airports to date. Entry into the Munich location follows earlier openings at Frankfurt and Düsseldorf airports. The objective of the acquisition is to combine international infrastructure with locally established hospitality concepts.
- —Entry into Munich, Germany's second-largest airport market
- —Acquisition of six established operating units airside
- —Expansion of the nationwide portfolio to over 200 locations across ten airports
- —Continuation of operational business and retention of the existing workforce
Lucio Rossetto, COO Europe & North America at Lagardère Travel Retail, stated that the acquisition aligns with the objective of building market positions in core European markets and seizing new growth opportunities. Jochen Halfmann, CEO of Lagardère Travel Retail Germany, emphasised that entry into Munich Airport represents a milestone for the national growth strategy. He noted that the existing understanding of local passenger requirements and the work of the existing team will be of central importance for future cooperation.
Operational continuity and succession planning
For the previous owners, the sale represents an orderly succession after more than two decades of business operations. Markus Aichinger, CEO of Aichinger Gastro GmbH, highlighted that Lagardère Travel Retail was chosen as a strategic partner to guarantee reliability for airport partners as well as continuity for employees. The Aichinger family and the local management team will support the integration process in an advisory capacity going forward.
