dnata, a leading global air and travel services provider, has reached a major milestone in its environmental sustainability efforts by transitioning all non-electric airside vehicles and ground support equipment (GSE) to biodiesel at its primary hub in Dubai.
This initiative, in collaboration with Dubai Airports and the Emirates National Oil Company Group (ENOC), aims to cut CO₂ equivalent emissions by over 3,500 tonnes annually. This reduction is comparable to the emissions produced by over 21 million kilometers driven by a standard diesel-powered car.
The biodiesel transition, covering a fleet of 2,500 vehicles at Dubai International (DXB) and Al Maktoum - Dubai World Central (DWC), is part of a gradual rollout across dnata’s ground handling and cargo operations. This fleet supports over 220,000 flights each year. dnata has already implemented biodiesel for its landside operations, including logistics, tours, and flight services, since last summer.
Steve Allen, CEO of dnata Group, highlighted the significance of this step in their decarbonisation journey.
“Switching our non-electric airside vehicles to biodiesel represents a major advancement in our environmental strategy. This initiative underscores our commitment to reducing emissions while maintaining high standards of quality and safety.”
Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, praised the collaboration, stating,
“This partnership with dnata and ENOC demonstrates the power of joint efforts in driving sustainability in aviation. The transition to biodiesel is a crucial component of our broader strategy to achieve sustainable ground support operations.”
ENOC Group has facilitated this transition by supplying dedicated biodiesel trucks and fueling stations. His Excellency Saif Humaid Al Falasi, Group CEO of ENOC, emphasized the importance of this partnership in advancing the UAE’s clean energy goals.
dnata, a pivotal player in the UAE’s aviation sector since 1959, continues to make strides in environmental performance, recently reporting notable reductions in carbon intensity across its operations. The company’s commitment to renewable energy is evident in its global initiatives, including the installation of solar panels in Pakistan and the Philippines.
News Source: Dubai Media Office
