Growing with SATS: From loading meals to leading non-aviation business at SATS TFK

Growing with SATS: From loading meals to leading non-aviation business at SATS TFK

What do a loading supervisor, a cabin crew member, and a business director have in common? They are all roles that one man has played.

Ichiro Kohno, Head of Commercial (Non-Aviation) Services at SATS TFK

Meet Ichiro Kohno, Head of Commercial/Non-Aviation Services at SATS TFK. Thirty-one years with the company and he continues to look ahead, showing how both he and the company have grown and adapted over time.

About SATS TFK

TFK has been around since 1959, starting as Japan’s first in-flight catering company. In 2010, it was acquired by the SATS Group when the latter bought Japan Airlines’ stake in TFK.

More than 60 years later, SATS TFK has become one of Japan’s largest in-flight caterers, with a strong presence in both Haneda and Narita airports. Every month, SATS TFK serves more than a million meals to 50 international and domestic airlines.

SATS TFK’s food manufacturing facility in Haneda

A journey across roles

Kohno joined TFK in 1993 as a Loading Supervisor, where he was responsible for uplifting meals onto the planes. This role introduced him to the world of flight catering. A few years later, Kohno was no longer uplifting meals to the aircraft but serving them onboard Japan Airlines as a Cabin Crew Member.

But his journey did not stop there. Kohno climbed the ranks, taking on roles in administration, human resources, sales, and customer services. He also spent time managing Japan Airlines’ in-flight meal menus, prices, and contracts in Europe and Americas.

Kohno took on various roles at SATS TFK, from operations to human resources and marketing

Embracing non-aviation ventures

The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic marked a turning point for SATS TFK. With air travel down, the company began exploring new business areas beyond its traditional domain.

Kohno, with his extensive experience, was chosen to lead this new direction. He now heads the non-aviation business development at SATS TFK, a role he approaches with a forward-looking mindset.

“Being part of the SATS Group has been a game-changer for TFK,” says Kohno. “We had always focused on in-flight catering, but then the pandemic hit and we had to think fast. Luckily, we could tap into SATS’ experience in food solutions, and that gave us the confidence boost to boldly explore other ventures.”

More than flight meals

Under Kohno’s leadership, SATS TFK has expanded its non-aviation portfolio. The company manages the Narita Airport Resthouse, a 209-room hotel in Narita International Airport, and operates seven restaurants throughout Tokyo. These range from cosy spots in airport terminals to larger venues in malls, banks, and golf clubs, seating anywhere from 40 to 200 customers.

One of SATS TFK’s associate companies, In-Flight Foods Co Ltd, produces about 10,000 frozen and chilled ready-to-heat and ready-to-cook products a day, which are then distributed to general merchandise stores, supermarkets, restaurants, and hotels throughout Japan. Apart from this, SATS TFK offers catering services for events and exhibitions.

Even as they diversify, food remains at the heart of SATS TFK’s expertise. Whether serving aviation or non-aviation clients, the company prides itself on top-notch food safety, hygiene, and cultural compliance, including halal offerings.

Leading with optimism

Kohno during one of his business visits to Singapore HQ

Kohno is committed to pursuing new revenue streams for SATS TFK. “I’m responsible for business development and increasing revenue for our non-aviation business,” he says.

While growing these new areas takes time, Kohno remains optimistic. “There’s always room to expand,” he believes, acknowledging the fantastic team he works with, “I’m blessed to work with such a great team. In my 30 years working at SATS TFK, I haven’t once questioned why I’m still here.”

Looking ahead

Kohno’s professional journey mirrors the evolution of SATS TFK as well. From an aviation company to a diversified business, the company has since grown and adapted.

Kohno is proud to be part of this transformation and is excited about the future, "If we don’t evolve, we risk becoming stagnant,” he says.

Here’s to turning the page of possibility at SATS TFK, and to Kohno and his team, bridging the now to the next.

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