Dnata invests $110 million in global infrastructure expansion

15/04/2025 02:29 AST

Dnata, the air services provider and part of the Emirates Group, on Monday announced an investment of $110 million as part of its global infrastructure investments.

New developments in The Netherlands, UAE and Iraq are set to go live in 2025, strengthening dnata's cargo and logistics capabilities across its global operations.

"As supply chains evolve and customer expectations shift, we're focused on investing in infrastructure that's fit for purpose today and adaptable for tomorrow," said Clive Sauvé-Hopkins, dnata's CEO - Airport Operations. "Our latest investments prioritise automation, scalability and energy efficiency, enabling us to support our customers more effectively in a fast-changing logistics environment."

All three new dnata facilities have been designed to reduce manual handling, improve real-time visibility, and enable scalable automation. Their modular architecture allows for future technology upgrades and operational flexibility. Integrated sustainability features will help drive long-term energy efficiency and reduce environmental impact.

Dnata is investing more than $70 million in a 61,000 square metre, fully-automated cargo centre - dnata Cargo City Amsterdam - at Schiphol Airport (AMS), set to open in July 2025. The facility will be capable of processing more than 850,000 tonnes of cargo annually. It will feature the latest technologies, including automated storage and retrieval systems (ASRS) and automated guided vehicles (AGVs) for flexible, scalable ULD transport within the terminal.

It will also offer full AWB (air waybill) control across the entire facility, allowing complete oversight of shipment progress and documentation. Operations will be centrally managed via dnata's Cargo Control Centre, with live process visibility for real-time coordination. Smart gates will automatically record the volume and weight of all incoming consignments using 3D scanning, significantly improving handling speed and service quality. A forklift guidance system will support optimised movement and placement of cargo within the warehouse. Additionally, the facility will perform 100% weight and dimension checks, ensuring accuracy and compliance for every shipment.

In Erbil, Iraq, dnata is building a 20,000 square metre cargo facility through a $15 million investment, scheduled to become operational in July. The facility will increase dnata's handling capacity by 300% to 66,000 tonnes annually in the country. It will incorporate dnata's 'OneCargo' system which automates key business and operational functions, including safety and quality monitoring, reporting and ULD management, with an integrated, cloud-based platform.

In Dubai, dnata Logistics is developing a new 57,000 square metre cargo centre at Dubai South, backed by a $27 million investment. Due for completion by the end of 2025, the facility will process up to 400,000 tonnes of cargo annually. The fully temperature-controlled warehouse will feature a mix of very narrow and wide aisle racking, along with truck loading and offloading areas to optimise operational efficiency.

Clive Sauvé-Hopkins added: "These projects are designed to deliver measurable gains in performance, traceability and resource efficiency. They form a key part of our long-term strategy to enhance service quality while building a more resilient, data-driven cargo operation."

Khaleej Times