dnata, a leading global air and travel services provider, has broken ground on its new, 20,000 square metres cargo warehouse, which will be developed with an investment of around $14 million, and will add significant expansion to its operations at Erbil International Airport (EBL).
The company’s newest cargo facility will be capable of processing 100,000 tonnes of cargo annually, including perishables, pharmaceuticals and dangerous goods.
dnata will also implement its advanced ‘OneCargo’ system within the facility, digitising processes and maximising efficiencies across its cargo operations in Iraq, according to a report Emirates news agency WAM.
As per the WAM report, the facility will be equipped with the latest technologies, including thermal insulation to reduce the building’s environmental impact by maintaining low CO2 manufacturing emissions and operating costs. Additional, environmentally sustainable features include a water harvesting system, which recycles condensed water, low energy skylighting, and an all-electric forklift fleet.
dnata’s latest expansion follows the opening of a new, advanced cool chain facility and a bus maintenance facility in 2022 at EBL. The company currently provides ground handling and cargo services to over 25 airlines with a team of over 400 aviation professionals, the report said.
According to Jaffar Dawood, senior vice president for UAE and Iraq Airport Operations of dnata, “The foundation stone for the cargo warehouse, which is scheduled for completion in September 2024, was recently revealed by dnata’s”.
He said, “We are delighted to expand our operations in response to the growing demand for our reliable and safe cargo services in Erbil.”
“Our new facility will incorporate cutting-edge technologies and the latest carbon reduction initiatives in design and operation, ensuring the highest level of operational and environmental efficiency for our customers. We stay committed to the Iraqi aviation industry and continue to invest in our operations to contribute to the development of Erbil as a regional cargo hub,”said Jaffar.
In recent years, dnata has also made strategic investments in new cargo facilities in London and Manchester (UK), Karachi and Lahore (Pakistan), and additional cargo capacity and infrastructure in Brussels (Belgium), Sydney (Australia) and Toronto (Canada).
As one of the world’s leading air and services providers, dnata provides quality and reliable ground handling, cargo, catering and retail services at over 120 airports in 19 countries.