Dnata, an air and travel services provider, has received two honors at the Aviation Business Middle East Awards 2025. The company was named Ground Support Company of the Year for the 15th time, a recognition accepted by Jaffar Dawood, dnata’s Divisional Senior Vice President for UAE Airport Operations.
The award acknowledges dnata’s ongoing efforts to improve its ground-handling operations through innovation and investment in technology. Over the past year, dnata introduced autonomous electric baggage tractors at Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International (DWC). These vehicles are part of a regional automation project that aims to make aircraft turnarounds more efficient and allow staff to focus on more complex tasks.
Additionally, dnata is expanding its Ground Support Equipment (GSE) fleet with plans to add over 800 new pieces of equipment in 2025 across ten markets, including the UAE. This includes electric and hybrid loaders, tractors, ground power units, and AI-enabled systems intended to increase accuracy and reliability while reducing emissions.
Internationally, dnata has grown its ground-handling business by expanding into new markets, renewing long-term licenses, and opening new stations such as Rome Fiumicino in Italy. These steps reinforce dnata’s role as a leading integrated air services provider.
Dnata also received the Digital Transformation Project of the Year award for its Virtual Reality (VR) training program. This program enables employees to practice complex airside scenarios in a digital setting, improving safety awareness and learning outcomes among supervisors responsible for loading operations.
Jaffar Dawood commented: “These awards reflect the dedication and professionalism of our teams, as well as the strong collaboration we enjoy with our partners across the airport community and local authorities. This collective effort is what drives the outstanding success and growth of Dubai’s aviation industry. We will continue to invest in our people, infrastructure and equipment to deliver even greater achievements in the years ahead.”
The Aviation Business Middle East Awards highlight organizations that contribute to operational progress and technological advancement within the region’s aviation sector.
