KUALA LUMPUR: Capital A Bhd
and Singapore-listed Food Empire Holdings have signed a strategic partnership to launch a new range of ready-to-drink beverages.
The deal, formalised via a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between their subsidiaries Santan Food Services and Empire International, will begin with a Vietnamese iced coffee to be sold on AirAsia flights and in regional retail stores.
Food Empire is a leading instant beverage FMCG player with strong market presence in Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and Southeast Asia.
The initial product rollout will cover both in-flight and retail channels. Passengers on AirAsia flights will be served a co-branded Vietnamese iced coffee, offering a blend of regional flavour, convenience, and quality.
The product will also be available at selected retail outlets under the Santan brand, extending the experience beyond the flight.
“This partnership reflects our belief in the power of Asean—its culture, its flavours, and its people. By combining Food Empire’s global expertise with Santan’s regional insights, we’re not just launching a drink; we’re creating a product that tells a story of heritage, innovation, and ambition. We want every sip to remind people of what this region can offer the world,” Capital A chief executive officer Tan Sri Tony Fernandes said in a statement.
Meanwhile, Food Empire executive chairman Tan Wang Cheow said: “This collaboration with Santan aligns with our strategy to cater to consumer trends and bring an authentic CaféPHỐ Vietnamese coffee experience on AirAsia flights so that more people can enjoy our great-tasting beverages.
“We are excited to bring our global manufacturing expertise and market insights into a partnership that celebrates the flavours and aspirations of the Asean region.”
