Following the warnings from the world’s largest ground handling companies last week that COVID-19 was decimating their functionality, Middle-East headquartered dnata has decided to place a large number of its staff on the government furlough scheme.
In addition to this it will be introducing new terminal handling charges in the UK this week: a 4 pence per kilogramme fee will be levied, with a minimum of £8 for all import and export goods in the UK.
To combat the difficult situation the handler has suspended its cargo operations at both East Midlands airport and Gatwick. In addition, it has consolidated its handling services at Manchester and at Heathrow. Its COO, Mohammed Akhlaq, pointed to an ongoing reduced cargo capacity at its main stations as the key reason for the changes.
