dnata increases investment in U.S. operations, launches LAX service

Ground handler dnata has invested US$8 million to launch operations at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), expanding its overall investment in United States-based airports. Since the Dubai-based company’s entry into the U.S. market in 2016, it has invested a total of $35 million in operations and added 1,000 employees.

The new service location will appeal to carriers with trans-Pacific services, as Los Angeles serves as a major hub between Eastern and Western destinations. At LAX, dnata’s client will include Austrian Airlines, Iberia, Japan Airlines, Lufthansa, Swiss International Air Lines and Qantas.

Lufthansa Group also utilizes dnata’s services in Boston (BOS), New York (JFK), San Diego (SAN) and Tampa (TPA). Joerg Mnich, vice president of commercial airport infrastructure for Lufthansa, said the carrier intends to continue to “grow the North American relationship with dnata” at LAX.

During 2018, dnata expanded its services in JFK and San Francisco (SFO), and launched services at Nashville International Airport (BNA). It also opened a cool-chain facility at Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW).

Including LAX, dnata’s ground handling and cargo network consists of 87 airports in 13 countries worldwide.