DHL, Dnata in ground-breaking contract

Dnata Cargo, for the first time, will provide DHL with a team of dedicated personnel, under an agreement signed yesterday.

The pact was signed by Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, president of Dubai Civil Aviation and chairman of Emirates Group, and John Chisholm, DHL regional director, local affairs.

"This agreement demonstrates Dnata's innovative and flexible approach to service delivery and its commitment to meet the ever-evolving needs of its customers," said Sheikh Ahmed.

Dnata Cargo's team will wear DHL uniforms and will be specially trained and assimilated into DHL culture, methodology and way of working.

Dnata Cargo handling equipment, including High Speed Towing Tractors, will bear the DHL livery and will be operated by the DHL-dedicated team for transfers between terminals and the express and mail centre.

A manager from Dnata Cargo will be assigned as a key account manager to enable closer coordination between both companies.

The focus of the agreement is to offer reliable high quality services to DHL, which currently operates 38 weekly freighter aircraft touchdowns at Dubai airport, connecting up with DHL's worldwide network.

Another advantage of the new handling agreement is a much simplified billing and accounting procedure between the two companies.

Dnata Cargo combines 40 years' experience with the industry's latest systems and techniques, offering a comprehensive range of services covering cargo handling, logistics, cargo marketing and management.

Dnata Cargo operates air cargo terminals in the Dubai Airport Free Zone and Jebel Ali Free Zone and with associates throughout the world.

Dnata Cargo's investment in equipment, information technology, personnel and training has played a significant role in the Middle East's cargo scene.

Founded in California in 1969, DHL WorldWide Express accounts for a market share of 37.5 per cent, with sales of over $6.5 billion recorded in 2001.

The company has over 4,000 offices in more that 220 countries and territories, handling 160 million shipments per year.

With a current fleet of 251 aircraft, operating 714 scheduled flights every day, DHL is the ninth-largest airline in the world.