Dubai: Dnata, the Dubai-based air services provider, has launched passenger-handling operations at New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport, it said in a statement on Wednesday.

The company already provides ground handling to over 50 airlines in the United States, and dnata says that this latest announcement is a natural portfolio extension.

The launch customer is Copa Airlines, the flag carrier of Panama, which operates four daily flights with an annual capacity of 364,000 passengers, between New York and Panama City using the Boeing 737 aircraft.

Dnata says that Copa Airlines’ choice underlines the demand for the Gulf company’s reliable and quality services and dedicated team.

Having been awarded over 40 new contracts in the United States in the past 12 months, dnata claims it continues to win new business because of its “attention to meeting customers’ requirements, and its commitment to maintaining the integrity of airline schedules.”

Including Copa Airlines, dnata’s global ground handling operations now serve over 270 airlines at 75 airports in 13 countries.

“Commencing passenger handling operations at New York-JFK is an important milestone for dnata in the USA,” said David Barker, chief executive officer of dnata USA.

“Expanding our passenger services portfolio is part of our overall strategy to offer a full range of quality ground handling services in all of our 27 airports in the country.”

“With our dedicated team and passion for service excellence, we continue to deliver the promises our customers make, while ensuring the highest level of safety across our operations.”