Cargo Handling

dnata opens DFW’s first perishable cargo facility

dnata has officially opened Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) International Airport’s first perishable cargo facility as part of an investment of more than $3 million.

The 37,000 square foot centre includes the only dedicated cool-chain perishable cargo facility at DFW and the state-of-the-art cargo handling centre can handle all perishables from flowers, to fruit and vegetables and pharmaceuticals.

Developed as a part of its agreement with AirLogistix USA which it acquired last year, dnata has opened the facility in cooperation with the Dallas Airport Authority.

The facility includes an 18,000 square feet area dedicated to cool-chain with experienced staff to ensure pharma, fruits, vegetables, fresh fish and seafood, meat and flowers maintain their freshness during the entire air transportation process.

Having recieved IATA’s CEIV Pharma accreditation, Japan Airlines was the first launch customer to experience the DFW facility from 1 November 2017.

Perishables being moved from the facility will include cargo such as fresh flowers from Bogota or fish from Chile headed to various US destinations.

dnata USA chief executive officer, David Barker said: “We realised that it was not only important for us to build a modern cool-chain facility to meet our long term objectives, but to also go the extra mile and ensure the compliance of our operations against the highest international standards. There is a clear need to increase capacity and ensure our customers have the flexibility that meets their specific needs via our cool-chain solutions.”

DFW executive vice president of global strategy and development, John Ackerman added: “Shippers in many trade lanes between Latin America and Asia with perishables like salmon, berries, and asparagus, can save as much as two days by using DFW over other airports.

“DFW’s strength lies in its airline network of passenger service with daily belly cargo capacity between Latin America and Asia combined with our excellent freighter services to Asia by nine Asian air freighter operators.”

dnata has opened 18 new cargo facilities in the past five years. With the investments in Houston and DFW, it now handles over 2.8 million tonnes of cargo at 43 airports worldwide. dnata USA employs over 4,200 employees and operates in 18 Airports and 13 Postal facilities.

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