Meiko, which supplies cruise lines with dishwashing equipment and systems, has announced that the airline of the United Arab Emirates has chosen the Offenburg, Germany-based commercial dishwasher manufacturer to expand its flight catering operations.

Meiko said that a brand-new second facility at the Dubai International Airport will be equipped with three machines from the company’s M-iQ range of warewashers. “We’ve been doing business with Emirates Flight Catering since 1988 and we’re proud to have this opportunity to develop the relationship further through this major contract,” commented Klaus Engesser, head of exports.

He explained how the M-iQ system uses a proprietary filter technology to allow the machines to wash for longer periods without requiring the wash water to be changed.

The order is for “EKFC Short Term Expansion-SE-03 Ware Wash Equipment” for 60,000 square meters over three floors. The company said that the optimized material flows and levels of organization required for the facility will be supported by its highly efficient conveyor warewashers which are designed to minimize idle periods by increasing the time between wash water changes. The contract includes a longer drying zone in the machines specially tailored to Emirates’ specific requirements: “The customer wanted everything to come out completely dry – even Gastronorm containers and plastic boxes – to ensure that all the key hygiene parameters were met,” said Eric Waag, Meiko’s key account manager for in-flight catering.

Each of the three M-iQ machines is 13.5 meters long with a useful width of one meter and a passing height of 2.40 meters. The machines will be assembled on-site, though branch office in Dubai will work closely with the assembly and installation experts at the company’s headquarters in Germany. “

By 2014 Emirates Flight Catering will be operating the M-iQ, providing catering and other services to more than 105 airlines at Dubai International Airport.