Dnata, a global provider of aircraft ground handling, cargo, travel, and flight catering services across five continents and a mobility part of the Emirates Group, is driving forward towards sustainability to the core as it is targeting to replace all its vehicles, diesel units, and GSE equipment with electric ones to become carbon neutral, shrink general and maintenance budget.
dnata also added to have set up e-Apron, a sustainability zone, at the 21st edition of Airport Show at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), paving ample path for an opportunity for electric/hybrid Ground Support Equipment (GSE) and Ground Handling Equipment (GHE) manufacturers to display in their latest innovations.
dnata further stated that Across Dubai and Jebel Ali there are about 30,000 pieces of equipment, like motorized and non-motorized trolleys, 124 hybrid cars, and thousands of tractors. dnata has commenced an operation of replacing them with electric ones as well as exploring further for conversion of the heavy-duty tractors with electric units.
Raed Younes, Vice President for UAE and Regional Business Development at dnata stated: “Reducing the carbon footprint is a key target for dnata as a world-leading air and travel services provider at 129 airports. We expect exhibitors from across the world to be joining the efforts to make their operations sustainable to ensure a better future.”
He further explained: “Wea are trying to promote sustainability just to make sure that it is a greener world, and trying to give back to the society by reducing carbon emission and maintenance. Cargo handling from an equipment perspective, we are looking into electric options as we are pushing all airports we manage to a sustainability environment.”
Industry sources revealed that the exhibitors at the e-Apron are Cobus Industries, which is showcasing its electric bus for service at airports, Kalmar Motors, a Sweden-based world leader in technology for towbarless handling of aircraft and Electric and Hybrid power technology, the UK-based Midstream Lighting, Colibri Energy, a German company that helps airports and ground handlers maximize efficiency through lithium technology, ADB SAFEGATE, one of the world’s leading providers of integrated solutions for safer, more efficient and environmentally friendly aircraft movements, and TLD.
Jurek Grzeszek, Director Sales & Service, TLD Middle-East, Africa and India, stated fully electrified ground support equipment is undoubtedly where the industry is heading. TLD recognized the importance of electric GSE some years ago and has been developing its iBS battery technology to electrify a range of high-powered ramp equipment. The technological advances offer a huge portfolio of the latest electric equipment for our customers, whilst also allowing the electrification option for older GSE through our retrofit program.”
dnata also stated that this event is organized by RX Global (Reed Exhibitions), the world’s largest airport industry B2B platform that has a sharp edge and focuses on sustainability to aid the aviation industry in achieving a better sustainable airport industry that is directing to shrink out the carbon footprint year on year.
The 21st edition of the Airport Show is sustained by Dubai Airports, Dubai Police, Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA), dnata (part of Emirates Airline and Group), Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects (DAEP), Global Air Navigation Services (GANS), the only private Air Navigation Service Provider (ANSP) in the UAE, and Dubai Air Navigation Services (dans).
