DHL-Dnata Cargo Sign Ground-Breaking Contract

HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dnata, the largest supplier of travel and cargo services, ground handling and airport services in the Middle East, has signed a ground-handling agreement with DHL World-Wide Express, the world's leading international air express company and business logistics solution provider, aimed at ensuring that the demanding service requirements of DHL are fully met.

The agreement breaks new ground in that, for the first time, Dnata Cargo will provide a team dedicated to DHL. Sheikh Ahmed commented: “This agreement demonstrates Dnata's innovative and flexible approach to service delivery and its commitment to meet the ever-evolving needs of its customers”.

John Chisholm, DHL’s Regional Director Local Affairs, signed the agreement on behalf of DHL. Also present were Ismail Ali Al Banna, Director Dnata Airport Services; Jean Pierre L De Pauw, Senior General Manger Dnata Cargo; Terry  Churchill, General Manager DHL Aviation Middle East; and Paul Dowling, UAE Hubs and Gateways Manager.

Under the agreement, Dnata Cargo- will provide a dedicated team of personnel who will wear DHL uniforms and who will be specially trained and assimilated into DHL culture, methodology and way of working. DNATA Cargo handling equipment, including High Speed Towing Tractors, will bear the familiar DHL livery and will be operated by the DHL-dedicated team for transfers between terminals and the Express and Mail Centre. Additionally, a Manager from  DnataCargo will be assigned as a Key Account Manager to enable closer co-ordination between both companies.

The focus of this agreement is to offer reliable high quality services to DHL, which currently operates 38 weekly freighter aircraft touchdowns at Dubai airport, connecting up with DHL’s world-wide network. Another major advantage of the new handling agreement is an innovative and much simplified billing and accounting procedure between the two companies.

Founded in California in 1969, DHL World-Wide Express is the global leader of the international air express industry, accounting for a market share of 37.5 per cent, with sales of over US$6.5 billion recorded in 2001. The company has over 4,000 offices in more that 220 countries and territories, handling 160 million shipments per year. With a current fleet of 251 aircraft, operating 714 scheduled flights every day, DHL is the ninth-largest airline in the world. 

Dnata Cargo combines forty years experience with the industry's latest systems and techniques, offering a comprehensive range of services that cover every aspect of cargo handling, logistics, cargo marketing and management. Based at Dubai International Airport's Air Cargo Village, Dnata Cargo also operates air cargo terminals in the Dubai Airport Free Zone and Jebel Ali Free Zone. With associates throughout the world, Dnata Cargo's investment in equipment, information technology, personnel and training have played a significant part in securing Dubai's position as the Middle East's premier Cargo hub.