Emirates Group’s dnata to open animal handling centre in Amsterdam

Amsterdam: Emirates Group’s air and travel services arm, dnata, announced plans to launch a special centre for animals at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport this summer. The centre is expected to “elevate standards in animal transportation with the launch of a dedicated, purpose-built animal handling centre.” dnata said the 2,380m² facility will be a key component of the upcoming dnata Cargo City Amsterdam complex - a sprawling 61,000m², fully automated cargo hub slated to open this July.

This advanced facility will boast an impressive annual processing capacity exceeding 850,000 tonnes of cargo, encompassing a wide range of specialised shipments, including pharmaceuticals, perishables, dangerous goods, aircraft engines, and vehicles.

The fully temperature-controlled centre has been “meticulously designed with animal wellbeing at its core.” It will feature segregated holding areas, tranquil zones, adaptable lighting, and even an on-site veterinary presence to ensure continuous monitoring and care. Notably, the facility will include stables capable of housing over 70 horses, all “underpinned by stringent biosecurity protocols.”

Currently, dnata provides ground handling and cargo services to 25 airlines at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, managing over 550,000 tonnes of cargo annually with a dedicated team of over 1,000 highly skilled professionals.

dnata said the centre’s dedicated animal handling team undergoes comprehensive and regular training by IATA’s Live Animals Regulations (LAR), the globally recognised benchmark for humane and compliant animal transport.

This investment comes at a time of increasing global demand for high-quality animal transport. In 2024 alone, nearly 200,000 live animal shipments were recorded worldwide, marking an 11 per cent increase since 2019. Amsterdam Schiphol Airport has also seen substantial activity in this sector, with dnata handling 22,500 individual animal shipments last year.

Jan van Anrooy, Managing Director of dnata Netherlands, expressed his enthusiasm for the new facility, stating, “Our new animal handling centre is built entirely around animal wellbeing. From calm surroundings to expert care, every detail supports a safe and comfortable journey. We’ll continue working closely with our partners to raise the bar for live animal logistics in Amsterdam and beyond.”

This latest development builds upon dnata’s existing capabilities in specialist cargo handling within the Benelux region, complementing its established 2,000m² Animal Care and Inspection Centre at Brussels Airport.