Brief
SSP Group warns of passenger drop in Middle East hubs as sales rise in UK and Ireland
The FTSE‑100 food‑service operator says a fall in Middle East travellers is weighing on its outlook despite stronger UK performance.
By Felo News Desk · Published
SSP Group, the owner of Upper Crust and Millie’s Cookies, said its revenue reached £3.8 billion for the year to September 2026, a 5% increase on the prior year, while sales in the UK and Ireland rose 9% in the fourth quarter.
The company warned that passenger numbers have sharply contracted in Gulf airports and other Middle‑East travel hubs since the regional conflict began, also affecting the Eastern Mediterranean, Asia‑Pacific and Indian regions, with a further dip in North‑American traffic.
SSP now expects full‑year operating profit to be slightly below earlier forecasts, around £230 million. Chief executive Patrick Coveney said the group delivered a “resilient Q4 trading performance in a challenging environment” and remains confident its diversified portfolio can meet earnings expectations.
Key facts
- SSP Group's revenue for the year to September 2026 was £3.8 billion, 5% higher than the previous year. (standard.co.uk)
- UK and Ireland sales grew 9% in the fourth quarter compared with the same period last year. (standard.co.uk)
- The company expects operating profit of about £230 million for the full year, slightly lower than earlier guidance. (standard.co.uk)
- Passenger volumes have sharply fallen in Gulf and other Middle‑East travel hubs since the conflict began. (standard.co.uk)
- CEO Patrick Coveney described the fourth‑quarter performance as resilient despite the environment. (standard.co.uk)
Sources
- [1] standard.co.uk — originally reported as “Upper Crust owner sees sharp drop in passengers around Middle East travel hubs”
