dnata Transitions HGV Fleet at Heathrow to Sustainable Biofuel
dnata, a global leader in air and travel services, is taking significant steps to reduce its environmental impact by converting its Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) fleet at London Heathrow Airport (LHR) to Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO), a fossil-free alternative to diesel.
This initiative is expected to cut carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) emissions by over 2,400 tonnes annually, equivalent to the emissions from more than 530 petrol-powered vehicles over a year.
Alex Doisneau, Managing Director of dnata UK, stated, “We are committed to implementing meaningful initiatives to maximise environmental efficiency. The introduction of biofuel, such as HVO, into our UK operations is another important step in our ongoing journey to reduce our carbon footprint.”
Commitment to Carbon Reduction
This transition aligns with dnata’s broader goal of reducing its carbon footprint by 50% by 2030 as part of its eight-year sustainability strategy. In addition to HVO, dnata has made substantial investments in advanced infrastructure at its new cargo centres in Manchester and London, featuring carbon reduction technologies like solar PV panels, air-source heat pumps, and electric vehicle charging stations.
Global Biofuel Initiatives
Beyond the UK, dnata has implemented biofuel solutions in Australia, The Netherlands, and the UAE, and is exploring further opportunities globally. In the UAE, dnata has transitioned its entire non-electric fleet to biodiesel at Dubai International (DXB) and Al Maktoum – Dubai World Central (DWC). In the financial year 2023-24, dnata reduced CO2e emissions by 2,200 tonnes by utilizing over 1.3 million litres of biofuels.
Fleet Strategy and Sustainability Metrics
dnata’s fleet strategy prioritizes phasing out diesel engines in favor of hybrid, electric, or hydrogen alternatives where infrastructure supports it. As a result, 65% of dnata’s fleet in the Netherlands, 44% in Italy, 40% in the UK, and 39% in Switzerland is now electric.
The company has reported substantial improvements in its environmental performance metrics for the financial year 2023-24, achieving a reduction of over 8% in carbon intensity across airport operations, 22% in travel, and 26% in catering services. This data has been validated by Verifavia, an independent environmental verification body.
dnata: A Leader in Global Air Services
Established in 1959, dnata provides comprehensive air and travel services across over 30 countries on six continents. In the financial year 2023-24, dnata’s teams managed over 778,000 aircraft turns, transported more than 2.9 million tonnes of cargo, and delivered 123 million meals, reflecting its commitment to safety and quality in service delivery.
