SPONSOR OF BEST CARGO AIRLINE - EUROPE

In 2011, dnata entered the UK Aviation services market by acquiring Plane Handling and Aviance, who already had established ground and cargo handling operations in the UK. By entering the UK market, dnata was able to increase their global footprint. As of 2012, dnata UK were operating three cargo facilities at LHR and one at MAN, approximately 520,000 square feet of office and warehouse space.

In 2014, dnata UK increased the cargo capacity at UK’s prime airport, London Heathrow, by developing and building three new modern cargo handling facilities as part of the dnata City Cargo Complex. Also in 2014, further expansion led to opening new cargo facilities at London Gatwick, Birmingham, East Midlands, Glasgow, Newcastle Airports, as well as the opening of a second facility at Manchester Airport.

On the back of expanding relationships with carriers, further infrastructure enhancements were introduced, including Cathay Pacific’s dedicated cargo facility, which opened at London Heathrow in 2016. Additional cargo warehouse space was also acquired at Birmingham and Glasgow airports in 2016 and London Gatwick in 2017. A third warehouse in Manchester Airport was opened in 2018, before the landmark development for Virgin Atlantic and Delta’s dedicated facility, dnata City East, opened in 2019.

Today, as a result of all developments, dnata operates with a total footprint of over 950,000 square feet of warehouse and office space dedicated to cargo operations throughout UK airports. With the rapid growth over the last eight years, the headcount of staff has also grew grown considerably, from 1,500 to over 2,500 between 2012 and 2020. Cargo volume growth also increased from approximately 300,000 tonnes handled back in 2012, compared to 800,000 tonnes in 2020 (pre COVID-19).

January 2021 saw dnata open dnata City North, a new build of 130,000 square feet, mirroring the London Heathrow dnata City developments, increasing capacity capabilities in Manchester Airport.
dnata City East Phase Two, Virgin Atlantic and Delta’s dedicated Import facility, is due to open in 2023 as dnata’s eighth cargo facility at London Heathrow. dnata also provides ground handling services at London Heathrow, London Gatwick and Manchester airports.