dnata, a leading global air travel and services provider, has announced an investment of over 25 million euros (approximately 108 million dirhams) to develop a modern cargo facility at Milan Malpensa Airport through its fully-owned Italian subsidiary, Airport Handling.
According to a press statement, this strategic project is part of the company's commitment to building high-efficiency infrastructure for cargo services in markets with strong long-term growth potential. The expansion of Airport Handling follows a competitive tender launched by SEA, the operator of Linate and Malpensa airports. The project is expected to create 200 new jobs, strengthening the company's position as the leading provider of ground services in Italy.
The new facility will be located in the 'Cargo City' area within the airport and will span 10,000 square meters, with an annual handling capacity exceeding 100,000 tons. Scheduled to commence operations in September 2027, the facility will be designed to international standards to handle all types of cargo, including perishables, pharmaceuticals, dangerous goods, live animals, aircraft engines, and vehicles.
Aligning with dnata's global sustainability strategy, the new facility will incorporate a range of energy-efficient solutions, including solar panels for renewable energy generation, advanced thermal insulation, and high-efficiency LED lighting. The warehouse and office spaces will be designed to maximize natural light, and the facility will use low-consumption heating and cooling systems. The site will also feature infrastructure to enable low-emission ground operations.
"Our expansion in the cargo sector is a pivotal investment for the company and a clear demonstration of our long-term commitment to Italy," said Alberto Morozzi, CEO of Airport Handling. "Milan is a leading regional hub for aviation and commerce, and we see strong growth opportunities driven by the boom in cross-border e-commerce, the pharmaceutical sector, and the perishables market."
He added: "We anticipate this investment will stimulate the local logistics ecosystem and deliver tangible benefits to businesses and the community."
Meanwhile, Clive Sofa-Hopkins, Executive Director of Airport Operations at dnata, stated: "Europe remains a cornerstone of our global expansion strategy, and this project will enable us to build advanced cargo capabilities that respond to the needs of a market with immense potential."
