This partnership will mark dnata’s first step into the Canadian ground handling market, where it will operate cargo and ground handling operations in collaboration with GTA under the new brand, GTA dnata. The agreement, which comes less than a year after dnata announced separate investments in the US and Brazil, does not include GTA’s GSE sales or maintenance, which will remain under the ownership and management of Mario, Angelo and Domenic D’Urso.
GTA currently employs 130 staff, serving more than 1,400 flights and handling over 58,000 tonnes of cargo each year at its facility at Toronto Pearson airport. In fewer than three years, GTA has secured handling contracts with several important airlines, with some of its key customers including Lufthansa, Cargojet and Emirates. CEO Gary Ogden will continue to manage the business and all current employees will also remain with the company.
Stewart Angus, dnata’s Divisional Senior Vice President of International Airport Operations, said that the investment in GTA is an important milestone for dnata, enabling them to fulfill their objective of providing high-level services in the key markets across the Americas. Angus added: “We look forward to playing our role in helping GTA develop in the next phase of its growth in Canada, and building on the excellent foundations that already exist.”
Mario D’Urso, GTA’s owner and Chairman also commented. “dnata’s commitment to service and safety excellence and its continued investment in its product is in line with our philosophy and ensures our customers will continue to receive the quality service they expect.” He concluded that he was confident about the future of GTA, expecting that it would "flourish" as part of the dnata team.
