Rhea, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of coffee machines, illycaffè, a global leader in sustainable high-quality coffee, and Arbitrade, the market leader in Spain, have launched new hospitality areas at Barcelona Airport, offering travellers a coffee break experience defined by quality, variety and sustainability.
As a result of this collaboration, the free-standing rhFS2 and rhFS1 induction machines have been positioned at strategic points in Barcelona Airport, which welcomes more than 55 million passengers each year. Designed to meet the needs of travelers on the move, these solutions stand out for their ability to combine the excellence of Italian coffee with a wide range of beverage options to suit international preferences. In partnership with illy and Arbitrade, Rhea has drawn on its signature customization expertise to design hospitality areas that offer fast, intuitive service, perfect for the hectic pace of airport spaces, without compromising the quality of the coffee experience.
Thanks to the collaboration with illycaffè, synonymous with Italian coffee excellence, travelers can enjoy a selection of premium beverages prepared with high-quality blends, enhanced by Rhea’s advanced
The choice of energy-efficient Rhea machines, equipped with patented induction technology, translates into significant energy savings and enhances the overall sustainability of the project. This concept is particularly important for the three players involved, who are all strongly committed to sustainability issues.
“Travel is made up of waiting, pauses, and encounters that we strive to turn into moments of well-being and pleasure: for us, a cup of coffee is a ritual that accompanies the traveler on his journey. With this project, we once again bring our vision of hospitality to places of mobility, creating spaces where design, technology and creative recipes come together to offer an experience of taste and comfort, making each stop a special moment before resuming the journey”, says Andrea Pozzolini, CEO of Rhea.
“We’re excited to bring the combined experience of Rhea, illy and Arbitrade to Barcelona Airport. This synergy allows us to offer travelers a superior level of service, with solutions that combine innovation, efficiency and environmental awareness, helping to raise the standard of café service within the airport”, adds César Ouro, CEO of Rheavendors Apliven.
“At illycaffè, we have always been committed to bringing our unique coffee experience to consumers wherever they are, even in busy and dynamic environments like airports. This project with Rhea and Arbitrade at Barcelona El Prat airport represents a significant step in expanding our presence in the travel retail and vending channel, while remaining true to our values of excellence and premium brand positioning”, says Francesco Bosso, Chief Commercial Officer of illycaffè.
Our presence at Barcelona Airport, which follows the Linate Lounge initiative in Milan, reaffirms Rhea’s vocation to innovate the coffee break experience in places of international mobility. Rhea’s solutions offer a perfect combination of advanced technology, sustainability, and personalization, delivering value for both travelers and operators seeking to elevate their hospitality offering.