Ground handler dnata has continued its expansion in the UK with the opening of a new facility at Heathrow Airport on behalf of customers Virgin Atlantic Cargo and Delta Cargo.
The new dnata City East Phase 2 facility measures 10,500 sq m and will operate in conjunction with the adjacent 22,500 sq m Phase 1 facility that opened in September 2019.
The Phase 2 facility will handle import cargo while the Phase 1 facility will take care of exports.
dnata has been rapidly expanding its cargo operations in the UK over recent years and has opened seven new facilities, including six newbuilds since 2014.
dnata now operates 13 cargo centres at six airports in the UK. The company is able to handle more than 800,000 tons of cargo annually across the country.
Alex Doisneau, managing director of dnata UK (Airport Operations), said: "We are excited to announce the completion of dnata City East, a truly world-class facility. Our newest cargo complex offers bespoke solutions, industry-leading technology and enhanced cargo capacity supporting our customers in achieving sustainable growth at the UK’s busiest airport."
Philip Wardlaw, managing director of Virgin Atlantic Cargo, added: "The opening of the import facility comes at a time where we have extended our cargo handling contract with dnata for a further five years, signalling our continued strong and highly valued partnership."
The opening of the new facility is the latest in a series of investments in cargo over recent years.
Between 2019 and 2022 the company has added new facilities in Karachi, Lahore, Brussels, and Manchester.
The company has also expanded existing facilities in Dubai, Sydney and Toronto.
Looking ahead, dnata recently announced a €200m investment in a fully automated cargo centre at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS).
The 61,000 sq m dnata Cargo City Amsterdam facility, located at Schiphol South-East, will be capable of processing over 850,000 tonnes of cargo annually.
Last week, the company announced it would enter the German market at Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) through the acquisition of Wisskirchen Handling Services.
