KUALA LUMPUR: Brahim’s Dewina Group of Companies (Brahim’s) plans to expand its in-flight catering kitchen at Penang International Airport (PIA) this year to meet rising demand from Visit Malaysia 2026.
Its executive chairman, Datuk Seri Ibrahim Ahmad, said he expects more airlines, particularly from China, to operate flights to Penang next year, which could contribute to higher tourist arrivals to the state.
"Chinese tourists come to Penang because many locals can speak their language, making it easier to communicate. Many of them also love our local food, especially durian udang merah (red prawns), and as a result, flight frequencies are increasing.
"At the same time, I also heard that the state government is enlarging the airport, so I have decided to expand the kitchen at PIA to cater to the growing demand,” he told Bernama.
Currently, Brahim’s serves 18 airline carriers at PIA.
At Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), Ibrahim said the group’s subsidiary, Brahim’s Food Services Sdn Bhd, currently serves 31 airlines that fly into KLIA, including the top 10 international carriers such as Qatar Airways, Emirates, Japan Airlines (JAL), All Nippon Airways (ANA) and Turkish Airlines, among others, supplying in-flight meals to passengers.
He said that Brahim’s Food Services is stable now, after overcoming issues with the Ground Handling License (GHL), which has now been issued.
Separately, Ibrahim said the group also plans to revive its factory in Amman, Jordan, by early this year as part of a corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative to support humanitarian food aid for Gaza.
He said their Jordanian partners give full support.
"We also have verbal support from the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) in Jeddah.
"To resume operations, we need to repair and restore all the equipment, and the machines will require some maintenance work before full production can start.
"We hope to reopen the factory by the first quarter of 2026, if all administrative and nontechnical issues are settled. For all the efforts being put in, we hope to receive sufficient support to kick off the initiatives next year, and we hope our local NGOs can also help,” he said.
Positioning Brahim’s Brand in a Challenging Market
Despite operating in a challenging market environment, Ibrahim said Brahim’s remains resilient and continues to play a leading role in the food manufacturing industry, particularly in the halal segment.
However, he noted that the group’s core business remains catering services, covering airlines, military contracts, and university catering, and that it hopes to extend its catering contract with the government.
Commenting on intensifying competition in the food manufacturing sector, Ibrahim said Brahim’s remains on track and continues to perform well.
"Despite the wide range of products available in the market, Brahim’s stays true to its processes and quality standards.
"Our products are here to stay. With halal-certified products, we have also received numerous awards and recognitions,” he said.
On the halal segment, Ibrahim said the group has gained global recognition by adhering to strict standards. Nevertheless, he suggested that ASEAN should adopt standardised and unified halal regulations to facilitate intra-ASEAN trade, similar to the framework used by the European Union (EU).
"To enhance intra-ASEAN trade, we need unified halal rules and regulations and mutual recognition, which can also push ASEAN-made halal products into the world market,” he added. - Bernama
