dnata invests $17m in Iraq operations

Photo: dnata

dnata has announced significant expansion of its operations in Iraq with investment of $17m.

The ground handler opened a new, advanced cool chain facility and a bus maintenance facility for its bussing fleets at Erbil International Airport (EBL), which together represent a total investment of $3.5m.

dnata will also invest an additional $14m and add a 16,000 m² cargo warehouse to its infrastructure in Iraq. 

dnata’s new cool chain facility is capable of processing 10,000 tons of perishables annually. It enables dnata’s cargo team to offer an uncompromised chilled and frozen storage and cool chain product to its airline customers at EBL, catering to product categories including fresh fruit, meat and pharmaceuticals.

The facility was designed and built with flexibility and unique product handling requirements in mind, taking advantage of the latest cold storage technologies.

dnata’s new cargo warehouse, which is expected to open in 2023, will further significantly enhance the company’s cargo offering in Iraq, the company said.

It will be capable of processing 100,000 tonnes of cargo, with a special focus on pharma and other cool chain commodities, annually. The facility will be equipped with technologies including environmentally sustainable features such as water harvesting, low energy lighting and an all-electric forklift fleet.

Furthermore, dnata has recently announced that it has implemented its advanced ‘OneCargo’ system, digitising processes and maximising efficiencies across its cargo operations in Iraq.

OneCargo automates key business and operational functions, including safety and quality monitoring, reporting and ULD management, with an integrated, cloud-based platform. AI-driven tools and analytics provide enhanced visibility on sales and business performance, allowing customers to match real-time demand with available capacity for maximum profitability. In addition, OneCargo eliminates all redundancies and manual check sheets, substantially improving operational efficiency.

dnata currently provides passenger, ground and cargo services to over 25 airlines in Erbil. In 2021, the company assisted over 1.2m passengers and handled 8,200 flights and 20,000 tonnes of cargo in Iraq.

Tom Alwyn-Jones, managing director of dnata Erbil, said: “Our latest investment in three new facilities will help us further expand and improve our operations in Erbil as demand for reliable and safe cargo services is on the rise across the region. I thank my colleagues for their hard work and our partners for their support and trust in our services. We continue to go the extra mile to consistently deliver superior quality and be the best in everything we do.”

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).

In addition, the company has recently announced that it would invest over €200m in its operations in Amsterdam (The Netherlands) and operate one of the world’s largest and most advanced cargo facility, dnata Cargo City Amsterdam, at Schiphol Airport.

dnata continues UK expansion with new Heathrow facility

Dnata invests in Amsterdam automated cargo centre

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Rebecca Jeffrey

Rebecca Jeffrey
New to aviation journalism, I joined Air Cargo News in late 2021 as deputy editor. I previously worked for Mercator Media’s six maritime sector magazines as a reporter, heading up news for Port Strategy. Prior to this, I was editor for Recruitment International (now TALiNT International). Contact me on: [email protected]