dnata secures seven-year ground handling licence renewal at Amsterdam Schiphol

dnata has been re-awarded a seven-year ground handling licence at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) in the Netherlands, allowing the company to continue providing ground handling services at one of Europe’s busiest aviation hubs.

The licence was awarded following a competitive public tender by the airport operator and enables dnata to continue supporting airline customers at Schiphol as the airport enters the next phase of its ground handling operations.

dnata has operated in Amsterdam for more than a decade, providing passenger, baggage, ramp and cargo services to major international airlines and specialist operators. The company currently supports more than 20 passenger and cargo airlines at Schiphol, where its team of more than 1,200 employees handles around 16,000 flights and approximately 500,000 tonnes of cargo each year.

"We are proud to continue our ground handling operations at Amsterdam Schiphol," said Thiemo van Spellen, Managing Director, dnata Netherlands. "This award reflects the trust placed in our people, our operational capabilities and our commitment to delivering safe, reliable and consistent services for airlines and passengers."

Van Spellen said Schiphol is a critical hub in European aviation and that dnata looks forward to continuing its collaboration with the airport, airline customers, employees, unions and industry partners as the new licence period begins. He added that the company remains focused on supporting smooth operations, maintaining high service standards and building a resilient operating environment.

With the new seven-year licence, dnata plans to strengthen its operations at Schiphol, expand customer partnerships and pursue further growth opportunities. Its local team will continue working closely with Schiphol and airline partners during the transition into the new licence period.

The renewed mandate also reflects dnata's continued investment in Amsterdam and the Netherlands. This includes dnata Cargo City Amsterdam, one of the largest cargo facilities of its kind, with an annual handling capacity of 600,000 tonnes and a €70 million investment. The company said it will continue investing in ground support equipment, environmental management, operational excellence and customer partnerships.

Globally, dnata provides ground handling, cargo, travel, catering and retail services in 37 countries across six continents. During the 2025–26 financial year, the company handled 888,793 aircraft turns and moved 3.2 million tonnes of cargo.