Dnata breaks ground with new cargo warehouse in Iraq

Ground handler dnata has broken ground on its new, 20,000 sq m cargo warehouse at Erbil International Airport (EBL) in Iraq that will be capable of processing 100,000 tonnes of cargo annually.
Scheduled for completion in September 2024, the cargo warehouse will be able to process a wide variety of products, including perishables, pharmaceuticals and dangerous goods.
dnata will also implement its ‘OneCargo’ system within the $14m facility, designed to digitalise processes and maximise efficiencies across its cargo operations in Iraq.
The facility will be equipped with thermal insulation to reduce the building’s environmental impact by maintaining low CO2 manufacturing emissions and operating costs.
Additional environmentally sustainable features include a water harvesting system, which recycles condensed water, low-energy skylighting, and an all-electric forklift fleet.
The foundation stone for the cargo warehouse was recently revealed by dnata’s senior vice president for UAE and Iraq airport operations Jaffar Dawood.
“We are delighted to expand our operations in response to the growing demand for our reliable and safe cargo services in Erbil,” said Dawood.
“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.
“We stay committed to the Iraqi aviation industry and continue to invest in our operations to contribute to the development of Erbil as a regional cargo hub.”
dnata’s latest expansion follows the opening of a new cool chain facility and a bus maintenance facility in 2022 at EBL. The company currently provides ground handling and cargo services to over 25 airlines with a team of over 400 aviation professionals.
In recent years, dnata has also made strategic investments in new cargo facilities in London and Manchester in the UK, Karachi and Lahore in Pakistan, and additional cargo capacity and infrastructure in Brussels, Belgium, Sydney, Australia and Toronto, Canada.
Last January, the company announced an investment of over €200m in dnata Cargo City Amsterdam, at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport in The Netherlands.