UAE’s dnata breaks ground on $14m cargo warehouse in Iraq

UAE-based global air and travel services provider dnata has broken ground on its new 20,000 square metre cargo warehouse at Erbil International Airport (EBL).

The facility, which is scheduled for completion in September 2024, represents an investment of $14 million and will create up to 50 additional direct jobs with dnata in Iraq, state-owned WAM news agency reported.

“Our new facility will incorporate cutting-edge technologies and the latest carbon reduction initiatives in design and operation, ensuring the highest level of operational and environmental efficiency for our customers,” said dnata’s senior vice president for UAE and Iraq airport operations, Jaffar Dawood.

dnata’s newest cargo facility will be capable of processing 100,000 tonnes of cargo annually, including perishables, pharmaceuticals and dangerous goods.

The latest expansion follows the opening of a new, advanced cool chain facility and a bus maintenance facility in 2022 at EBL.

The company currently provides ground handling and cargo services at the airport to over 25 airlines, with a team of more than 400 aviation professionals.

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 January 2022, the company announced an investment of over €200 million in one of the largest and most advanced cargo facilities, dnata Cargo City Amsterdam, at Schiphol Airport in The Netherlands.

Dnata’s revenue doubled year-on-year to $2 billion in the half-year results announced in November, helping its profit to surge to $64 million from $23 million, despite EBITDA growing by a more modest 10 percent to $175 million.

The company, which is part of the Emirates Group, operates in over 120 airports in 19 countries around the world.