Dnata acquires airport handling operations in UK

Dnata began operating in 1959 at Dubai International Airport

Dnata will acquire two of the UK’s leading ground handling operations.

The international airport services provider will acquire Plane Handling Ltd., which is currently part of the Go-Ahead Group plc, providing cargo and ramp handling services at London Heathrow Airport and cargo handling services at Manchester Airport.

In addition, Dnata is also taking over passenger and ramp handling operations at Terminal 3 and 4 at London Heathrow Airport from Aviance Ltd, which is also part of the Go-Ahead Group plc.

These acquisitions, which are valued at £15 million (US$25 million), mark Dnata's entry into the airport handling business in the UK. The transaction will be completed on January 30, 2010.

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Once completed, Dnata will be operating at 19 airports in eight countries, including Australia, China, Pakistan, the Philippines, Singapore, Switzerland as well as the UAE.

Gary Chapman, president, Dnata, said: "We are very pleased to add Heathrow and Manchester to our growing international network. These businesses already provide an outstanding quality of service to their airline customers in the UK and will be a perfect fit with our businesses in Dubai, Singapore, Switzerland, Australia and at other points across the globe.

"Dnata is committed to further developing the strengths of Plane Handling and ensuring that its airline customers continue to enjoy the highest possible levels of customer service.”