Qantas Freight awards Heathrow ground handling to dnata

GROUND handler dnata and Australian airline Qantas Freight have agreed a partnership that will see dnata’s UK business provide handling at London’s Heathrow airport.
Under the agreement, Qantas Freight will relocate its UK office and all operations to dnata City – a purpose-built cargo logistics centre at the heart of the UK’s largest airport.
The long-term arrangement will see dnata manage all aspects of freight handling for Qantas, which flies twice-daily A380 operations to Heathrow.
Each service offers up to 26 tonnes of cargo capacity.
“Our team at dnata City will handle all cargo requirements for Qantas Freight, ensuring the smooth flow of freight in and out of Heathrow,” says Mohammed Akhlaq, business development director, cargo, for dnata at Heathrow.
With additional cargo points recently added at London Gatwick, Birmingham, East Midlands, Newcastle and Glasgow Airports, dnata has become the leading player in the transition of airfreight throughout the UK.
“Qantas Freight strives to be known for excellence in airfreight services, and we are confident that dnata City’s facility and service commitment will help us deliver on this vision,” says Mitch Wild, head of sales and service for Qantas Freight.
“Our customers will enjoy access to the latest cargo handling technologies, and we also recognise the modern, purpose-built facilities are designed with the latest regulations in mind. This will result in a more efficient and streamlined export lodgement and import collection process, offering faster processing for our customers,” he adds.
In total, the dnata City project comprises a 20-acre cargo complex centred around five airfreight warehouses, a transportation facility and yard for airside operations enclosed in a security-fenced area.
The new facilities feature fully automated cargo handling systems, a dedicated AVI handling room as well as chiller rooms and valuables handling facilities.