Aviation and travel services provider dnata has announced a major expansion of its operations in Erbil, Iraq. At Iraq’s Erbil International Airport (EBL), Dubai-based dnata has inaugurated a new chain facility and a bus maintenance facility for its bussing fleets, totaling $3.5 million in investment.
dnata has also announced that it would invest an additional $14m and add a 16,000m² cargo warehouse to its infrastructure in Iraq. The three new facilities will create up to 100 local jobs with the provider.
Hence, it would invest a total combined investment of over $17m in a bid to expand its operations in Erbil. dnata’s cool chain facility is capable of processing 10,000 tons of perishables annually, enabling its cargo team to offer chilled and frozen storage and cool chain product to its airline customers at EBL, catering to product categories including fresh fruit, meat, and pharmaceuticals, Dubai Media Office reported.
The new bus maintenance facility was designed to maintain the fleet of eight passenger apron buses and over 10 transportation buses operated at EBL. Meanwhile, dnata’s new cargo warehouse, which is expected to open in 2023, 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, the statement said.
dnata has recently announced that it implemented its advanced ‘OneCargo’ system, digitizing processes and maximizing 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.
dnata currently provides passenger, ground, and cargo services to over 25 airlines in Erbil. In 2021, the company assisted over 1.2 million 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.”
dnata, which provides ground handling, cargo, catering, and retail services at over 120 airports across 19 countries, has 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).
dnata also said that it has invested over EUR200m in a fully automated cargo center at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS).
