The enhancements include upgraded ambulifts, customised accessibility buggies and improved sets of battery-operated wheelchairs. dnata is also trialling autonomous wheelchair technology as it explores how emerging mobility solutions could complement existing assistance services.

The wider programme is being highlighted at AccessAbilities Expo 2026, where dnata is engaging with People of Determination, accessibility experts and technology providers on the future of inclusive travel.

“Dubai’s ambition is to be a city where everyone can participate fully, and aviation has an important role to play in making that a reality,” said Jaffar Dawood, Divisional Senior Vice President for UAE Airport Operations at dnata.

“At dnata, we are supporting that vision by investing in the people, equipment and technology that make airport journeys more accessible, while working closely with the wider airport community to deliver a more equitable and inclusive travel experience.”

Modernising airside mobility

dnata has deployed three new ambulifts, introducing modern, high-capacity units designed to enhance safety, reliability and comfort during aircraft boarding and disembarkation.

The upgraded ambulifts feature improved stabilisation systems, refined cabin ergonomics and enhanced lift precision, supporting smoother transfers between terminal and aircraft.

Customised mobility in the terminal

Further, dnata is expanding its fleet with 24 customised accessibility buggies that accommodate a broader range of needs, including customers travelling with personal mobility aids.

dnata is also introducing three sets of stacked, battery-operated wheelchairs. Their stackable design optimises storage space and operational deployment, while the powered functionality enables smoother transfers across longer terminal distances.

Exploring future mobility

As part of its ongoing technology trials, dnata is assessing autonomous wheelchair technology as a potential future addition to its Accessible Travel offering.

The technology is designed to support more independent movement through airport environments and is being showcased at dnata’s stand at AccessAbilities Expo as part of the company’s wider exploration of new solutions.

Supporting a wider range of accessibility needs

dnata currently assists approximately 2 million customers annually at DXB requiring mobility or other accessibility support services.

Alongside equipment upgrades, dnata has introduced Signature Service Style training for frontline teams supporting Accessible Travel operations, strengthening soft skills, situational awareness and personalised customer care.

More than 3,500 dnata team members have completed dedicated hidden disability training, enabling them to provide person-centred support. Its teams also work closely with airport partners to facilitate easier journeys through priority lanes, sensory-considerate areas and Assisted Travel Lounges where required.

dnata teams also recognise and support customers wearing the Sunflower lanyard, helping ensure those with non-visible disabilities can receive additional time, understanding and assistance throughout their airport journey.

Making assistance easier to access

Customers requiring accessibility assistance can request support through their airline when booking or ahead of travel, with advance notification recommended. The services are provided free of charge.

Hearing loop systems are also available across 10 service touchpoints within Terminals 1, 2 and 3 as part of the wider airport accessibility infrastructure, helping dnata teams communicate more effectively with customers with hearing impairments.

Introducing Accessible Travel

As part of the wider enhancement programme, dnata has formally renamed its Special Handling department to Accessible Travel.

The new designation reflects the expanded scope of services beyond wheelchair assistance and aligns with international best practice in accessibility terminology, placing greater emphasis on equitable and barrier-free travel.

dnata has also introduced a refreshed uniform for frontline Accessible Travel teams, improving visibility, comfort and approachability for colleagues supporting customers across terminal and airside environments.

As the passenger journey extends beyond any one organisation, dnata works with airlines, service providers and government stakeholders through the oneDXB community to help connect improvements across the airport experience, from arrival at the terminal to boarding the aircraft.

The investment covers more than 340 new assets, spanning fleet renewal and additional capacity. dnata currently operates approximately 2,800 motorised GSE assets across Dubai International (DXB) and Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International (DWC).

Much of the programme focuses on equipment with enhanced safety features and technology, alongside increased aircraft pushback and towing capability to strengthen resilience across dnata’s ground handling operations.

Nabil Sultan Al Murr, Group Chief Executive Officer, dnata, said: “Dubai’s aviation sector is entering another major phase of growth, and we are investing with the future operation in mind. Ground equipment has long procurement and delivery cycles, so fleet planning needs to stay several years ahead of demand.

“We are using this investment to strengthen the fundamentals of the operation: renewing assets at the right point in their lifecycle, adding capacity where we see sustained growth, and improving resilience in areas that are critical to aircraft turnaround. At the same time, we are raising the standard of the fleet through better safety features and technology. As DWC takes on a larger role in Dubai’s aviation system, that long-term approach to fleet planning becomes even more important.”

Investing in safer, more resilient operations

Safety is a major focus of dnata’s latest fleet investment, with new equipment incorporating features designed to give teams greater visibility and control during aircraft handling.

These include aircraft loaders with features that make working at height safer, alongside AI-enabled detection cameras positioned beneath loading platforms. The cameras improve visibility in areas that can otherwise be difficult for operators to monitor, helping identify potential hazards during ground handling activities.

dnata is also strengthening its aircraft pushback and towing fleet, an essential part of the aircraft turnaround process. The investment will provide greater flexibility and resilience in an area where equipment availability is critical to maintaining reliable aircraft movements.

These enhancements reflect dnata’s broader approach to GSE fleet planning, which takes into account changing operational requirements, aircraft types and fleet mix. Equipment is selected to strengthen safety, reliability and long-term operational performance.

Showcasing the future of ground handling

Technology is becoming an increasingly important part of that planning. dnata is advancing solutions including automated aircraft docking systems and the use of 3D printing to produce selected GSE components, with a focus on improving how equipment is operated, maintained and kept available for service.

A selection of these technologies will be showcased at Airport Show 2026, offering a closer look at how dnata is evolving its ground handling operations alongside continued investment in its fleet.

Beyond the UAE, dnata operates approximately 4,700 motorised GSE assets across its global network and provides ground handling and cargo services at 86 airports worldwide. In the 2025-26 financial year, dnata's teams handled more than 888,000 aircraft turns and processed 3.2 million tonnes of cargo across its global network.

The UAE is the top destination booked by residents for the school holiday period, as families increasingly opt for shorter breaks that offer quality time together without extensive travel. Outbound travel also remains robust, with the Maldives, Spain, France, Thailand, and Mauritius ranking among the most popular overseas destinations.

In the UAE, Dubai accounts for 78% of all staycation bookings, followed by Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah. Booking trends highlight strong demand for hotels that offer easy access to leisure, entertainment, and lifestyle experiences, including properties on Yas Island and Palm Jumeirah. Beach resorts continue to perform strongly, with all-inclusive properties appealing to families seeking convenient, value-driven getaways.

International bookings overall are tracking ahead of the same period last year. Spain has recorded a 65% increase in sales year-on-year, while demand for travel to the United States is up 6%. France and Japan are also performing significantly ahead of last year's levels, while enquiries for Finland are emerging among travellers seeking cooler-weather experiences.

Family travel spending continues to rise, with average booking values increasing by 6% year-on-year. Bookings through dnata Travel's retail stores have grown 16%, while bookings generated through social media channels have tripled compared to last year.

Meerah Ketait, Head of Retail and Leisure UAE at dnata Travel, said: “The October half-term break remains an important travel period for UAE residents. The sustained popularity of staycations reflects broader shifts in traveller behaviour, with families placing greater value on convenience, flexibility, and meaningful experiences as shorter breaks become an increasingly appealing way to maximise time away.

“Beyond the UAE, we’re seeing strong demand for nearby beach destinations such as the Maldives, Mauritius, and Thailand. These destinations continue to resonate with travellers by offering a compelling combination of accessibility, value, and family appeal. At the same time, social media continues to play a growing role in inspiring destination choices and shaping booking decisions.”

dnata Travel's top holiday offers: October half-term 2026

UAE staycations

Dubai
Stay one night at the five-star Hilton Dubai Palm Jumeirah in a Guest Room with dnata Travel, with breakfast and one child up to 11 years stays and eats for free, from AED 545 per person.

Abu Dhabi
Stay one night at the four-star Yas Plaza Circuit in a One Queen Family Suite Plaza View with dnata Travel, with breakfast, theme park access and two children up to 11 years stay and eat free, from AED 545 per person.

Fujairah 
Stay one night at the five-star Le Méridien Al Aqah Beach Resort in a Deluxe Guest Room Sea View King with dnata Travel, with breakfast, from AED 695 per person.

International getaways

Helsinki, Finland
Stay three nights at the five-star Hilton Helsinki Strand in a Twin Room with dnata Travel with Breakfast, and return flights, from AED 4,035 per person.

Maldives
Stay three nights at the five-star Sun Siyam Olhuveli in a Grand Beach Villa with Pool on Full Board with dnata Travel, including complimentary transfers for children, kids stay and eat free, 30% savings on accommodation, 50% savings on return speedboat transfers, a complimentary Lucky Dolphin Cruise, and return flights, from AED 7,420 per person.

Mauritius
Stay three nights at the five-star C Mauritius in a Prestige Room on Half Board with dnata Travel, with up to 40% savings on your stay, and return flights, from AED 6,590 per person.

To explore more trending destinations within and from the UAE with dnata Travel, visit www.dnataTravel.com. For more travel advice and inspiration, contact the dnata Travel experts via call or WhatsApp on 800 DNATA (36282), on social media @dnataTravel, email holidays@dnatatravel.com, or visit a dnata Travel retail outlet, with stores located across the UAE.

Siobhán succeeds Andrew Whitworth, who is leaving the business after more than 10 years of successful service with dnata.

In her new role, Siobhán will oversee dnata’s Catering and Retail operations in Ireland, with responsibility for the company’s people, customers, operations and continued growth in the market.

Siobhán steps into the position from within dnata Ireland’s leadership team, where she has served as Finance Director for almost eight years. Prior to joining dnata, Siobhán was an Associate Director at CPL Group Plc. A Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (FCCA), she brings extensive financial and commercial expertise, alongside an in-depth understanding of dnata’s business, customers and operations in Ireland.

Robin Padgett, CEO of dnata Catering & Retail, said: “Siobhán has already made a significant contribution to our operations and growth in the market, and I’m delighted to see her take this next step with dnata.

“Ireland is an important market for our Catering & Retail business, with strong customer partnerships and exciting opportunities ahead. Under Siobhán’s leadership, we will continue investing in our people and capabilities while delivering the quality, innovation and reliability our airline partners expect from us.”

Siobhán Meaney, Managing Director, dnata Catering & Retail Ireland, said: “I’m incredibly proud to take on this role and lead our talented team in Ireland. Having been part of the business and its development over the years, I’ve seen first-hand the passion and expertise our people bring to our customers every day.

“We have built a strong operation in Ireland, and there is plenty more we want to achieve. I look forward to working with our teams, customers and partners as we continue strengthening our business, developing our capabilities and delivering exceptional experiences for airline customers and their passengers.”

Based at Dublin Airport Logistics Park, dnata provides inflight catering and retail services to seven international airlines across three airports in Ireland. Collectively, its facilities span 9,100 square metres and can produce up to 40,000 meals per day.

Recently, dnata has expanded its long-standing partnership in Ireland with Aer Lingus to include the management of the airline’s inflight retail programme. Under the five-year agreement, dnata manages the end-to-end retail proposition, including product sourcing and procurement, warehousing and technology provision, supporting more than 160 Aer Lingus flights each day across Dublin, Shannon and Cork.

Globally, dnata’s Catering & Retail division operates from more than 60 locations worldwide with a team of over 10,000 catering professionals. In the 2025-26 financial year, the division uplifted 115.3 million meals, while its onboard retail operations supported 28.4 million transactions annually.

dnata continues to invest in attracting, developing and advancing national talent. UAE Nationals hold 111 different roles across the company, from travel services and frontline airport operations to specialist and leadership positions, reflecting the breadth of career paths available within the organisation.

The strength of dnata's approach is reflected in the longevity and progression of its people. UAE Nationals have an average tenure of approximately 12 years with the company, while nearly two-thirds have been with dnata for more than a decade.

Since 2021, almost 100 Emirati employees have progressed through promotions or role upgrades, underscoring dnata's commitment to career development and internal mobility. Today, Emirati talent leads key areas of the business in the UAE and internationally, including airport operations, travel, customer experience, technical services, safety and overseas operations.

Emirati women currently represent more than half of dnata's UAE National workforce in Dubai, reflecting the company's commitment to creating inclusive opportunities.

At Ru'ya Careers UAE, visitors can explore the diverse range of careers available across dnata's businesses. Programmes available to Emirati talent include development pathways for high school graduates, graduate management programmes and roles for experienced professionals. Employees also benefit from leadership development programmes, secondments, global mobility assignments, support for continuing education and participation in government leadership initiatives.

Hana Al Awadhi, Senior Vice President, HR Business Partnerships, dnata, said: “What makes dnata unique is the breadth of opportunities available within a single organisation. People join us with different ambitions and backgrounds, and many go on to build careers that take them in directions they never expected.

"We are particularly proud of the Emiratis who have grown with us over the years. Many have progressed into leadership roles, taking on greater responsibility as their careers have evolved. Their success stories show what is possible when people are given the support, trust and opportunity to thrive.

“We look forward to meeting aspiring Emirati talent at Ru'ya Careers UAE and sharing the many pathways available across our business."

dnata invites Emiratis and their families to visit its stand at Ru'ya Careers UAE to meet the team, explore available opportunities and discover how a career with dnata can contribute to both their personal ambitions and the continued growth of the UAE.

dnata's stand is part of the Emirates Group's 300-square-metre stand, located in Zabeel Hall 3, Legacy Hall, Stand Z3-1.

The agreements span hotel distribution, cruise holidays, hospitality, destinations and travel technology. Alongside the signings, the group announced the integration of Travelbag into Imagine Cruising and an expansion of Arabian Adventures’ The Fort – Lisaili, combining external partnerships with investment in its own businesses.

John Bevan, CEO, dnata Travel Group, said: “Our announcements at ATM reflect where we see the strongest opportunities for growth: developing our specialist travel brands, expanding distribution for our partners and investing in experiences that give travellers more reasons to choose a destination.

“The value of these partnerships extends beyond any single brand or market. A hotel partner can work with us across leisure, corporate and wholesale travel, while a destination can draw on both our international sales network and local expertise. Building those relationships across the group is an important part of how we intend to grow.”

Partnerships across the travel portfolio

dnata Travel Group’s agreement with Rotana will increase access to its 118-property portfolio through its leisure, wholesale, corporate and group travel channels, connecting the hotel company with travellers across more than 180 source markets. It builds on recently established direct dynamic connectivity, with opportunities for joint marketing and technology initiatives to improve distribution efficiency.

For dnata Travel Leisure, seven agreements brought together partners across cruise, luxury hospitality and destination tourism.

Four cruise signings support a portfolio serving different customer groups. Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. brings a strong family and multigenerational proposition, while Norwegian Cruise Line offers options spanning solo travel through to premium suites. MSC Cruises combines family holidays with premium experiences such as MSC Yacht Club, and The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection provides a smaller-scale, ultra-luxury alternative. Together, these relationships give dnata Travel scope to develop its cruise offering around a broader range of budgets, interests and service expectations.

dnata Travel also signed an agreement with Kerzner International to support its luxury holiday proposition across family resorts, ultra-luxury stays and wellness experiences through brands including Atlantis, One&Only, SIRO and Rare Finds.

Operators aside, the travel agency also secured agreements with tourism bodies, offering opportunities to build more varied itineraries for customers. With Turespaña, the focus includes Spain’s gastronomy, wellness, coastal destinations and Islamic and Arab heritage. Tourism Seychelles brings opportunities to complement resort holidays with island-hopping, nature, marine activities and Creole culture, giving customers more reasons to explore each destination.

Elsewhere in the group, Arabian Adventures, its destination management and desert experiences specialist, signed with Trip.com, providing a basis to explore wider digital distribution for its destination services.

Travel technology distributor EmQuest concluded separate agreements with Smart Travels and Jalhansa Tours & Travels, supporting its agency relationships and opportunities for closer cooperation on booking and distribution services.

Developing the group’s own businesses

Alongside its partnership programme, dnata Travel Group announced the integration of Travelbag into Imagine Cruising, bringing together complementary strengths in tailor-made land holidays and cruise experiences.

The move expands customer choice and gives Travelbag customers access to Imagine Cruising’s dedicated concierge support throughout booking and travel. It also gives Imagine Cruising its first high street presence through Travelbag’s seven UK stores, which will become dual branded. Both businesses will retain their existing names, teams and customer propositions, while benefiting from shared expertise, greater scale and operational efficiencies.

In Dubai, Arabian Adventures announced an AED 8 million expansion of The Fort – Lisaili, with new adventure, dining and cultural experiences opening in phases from 2027. The development, including the UAE’s first dune-top desert zipline, will broaden the group’s own offering for international visitors and UAE residents.

The group’s ATM participation also included four conference sessions on leisure and corporate travel, new insights into UAE winter holiday bookings, and seven World Travel Awards Middle East wins across dnata Travel, Arabian Adventures and dnata Travel Management.

The dnata Travel Group represents the travel division of dnata. The group’s history is rooted in Dubai and the growth of its pioneering travel industry, evolving to comprise more than 15 leading international travel brands with coverage across the world. Its businesses cover all aspects of the travel industry from local travel agencies to global travel consolidators, corporate travel, destination management and attractions, airline representation services, and more.

The move brings together two highly successful dnata Travel Group brands with complementary strengths, expanding customer choice while creating a stronger platform for future growth through greater scale, shared expertise and operational efficiencies.

Customers will benefit from access to a wider range of travel experiences, combining Imagine Cruising's extensive cruise holiday offering with Travelbag's renowned land-based itineraries. Travelbag customers will also gain access to Imagine Cruising's dedicated concierge team throughout the booking and travel journey.

The move also gives Imagine Cruising its first high street presence through Travelbag's network of seven UK retail stores. The locations will be dual branded, enabling customers to access both brands' products and expertise through a single retail network.

Both brands will continue to operate under their existing names, maintaining their established teams and customer propositions.

Nicola Richardson, Managing Director of Travelbag, will continue to lead the brand and join Imagine Cruising’s senior leadership team, reporting to CEO Tony Roberts.

John Bevan, CEO, dnata Travel Group, said: “This integration is a clear example of our strategy in action: investing in leading specialist brands and enabling them to achieve more together than they could independently. By deepening collaboration across our portfolio, we will deliver greater value for customers while strengthening our long-term market position. Looking ahead, we will continue to identify opportunities for our businesses to realise their full potential across our global operations.”

Tony Roberts, CEO, Imagine Cruising Group, said: "Bringing Travelbag into the Imagine Cruising family is an exciting step for us. It strengthens our UK business considerably, while also adding a real boost of tailor-made experience to our offering. We’re looking forward to this next chapter together."

Nicola Richardson, Managing Director, Travelbag, said: "Our customers have always come to us for expert, tailor-made advice, and joining the Imagine Cruising Group gives us even more to offer them. It makes such sense, and we’re all really excited for the opportunities ahead."

Imagine Cruising is a global business, with operations across the UK, South Africa, USA, Australia and New Zealand. Since its founding in 2011, the brand has consistently expanded its international footprint, most recently entering the USA in 2025, while continuing to strengthen its position across existing markets.

Its product offering has grown at a similar pace, built on the belief that cruise should be paired with a meaningful stay, a rail journey or a touring itinerary rather than sold as a holiday on its own. River cruising is in particular demand, with itineraries reaching quieter stretches of the Rhine and the Danube. Alongside that, guests are drawn to packages built around exclusive experiences unavailable to independent travellers, from cultural events in Italy to private dining experiences in Vietnam and premium access to world-renowned sporting events such as the Monaco Grand Prix.

Travelbag has recorded sustained growth in trading volume and average booking value in recent years, driven largely by rising demand for multi-centre holidays over single-destination packages. This reflects a broader shift in customer preference toward tailor-made, experiential travel.

That growth is built on more than 45 years as one of the UK's leading tailor-made travel specialists, supported by a nationwide network of retail stores, contact centres and digital channels, spanning destinations across Asia, Africa, the Indian Ocean, the Caribbean, North America and beyond. Travelbag continues to invest in its digital experience, as more customers choose to start their journey online before speaking with a Travel Specialist to plan and book their holiday.

The integration of Travelbag builds on Imagine Cruising’s international growth plan, further strengthening its position within the dnata Travel Group.

The dnata Travel Group represents the travel division of dnata. The group’s history is rooted in Dubai and the growth of its pioneering travel industry, evolving to comprise more than 15 leading international travel brands with coverage across the world. Its businesses cover all aspects of the travel industry from local travel agencies to global travel consolidators, corporate travel, destination management and attractions, airline representation services, and more.

dnata Travel Group is the travel division of dnata, a leading global air and travel services provider. The awards celebrate excellence across the travel, tourism and hospitality industries, recognising the continued success and growth of Dubai-based brands dnata Travel, Arabian Adventures and dnata Travel Management.

As dnata Travel continues to expand its presence across the GCC, the brand was named Saudi Arabia's Leading Travel Agency 2026 for the seventh consecutive year.

Arabian Adventures, the Group's destination management company (DMC), tour and safari operator, claimed three awards, winning United Arab Emirates' Leading Desert Safari Company 2026, United Arab Emirates' Leading Tour Operator 2026, and Dubai's Leading Destination Management Company 2026.

The awards come as Arabian Adventures unveils the future vision for its flagship desert destination, The Fort – Lisaili, at ATM. The AED 8 million redevelopment will transform the venue into a new benchmark for desert tourism in Dubai, introducing the UAE's first dune-top desert zipline alongside new dining, entertainment and cultural experiences from 2027.

dnata Travel Management, the Group's corporate travel services provider, also earned three World Travel Awards titles, including Middle East's Leading Corporate Travel Company 2026, Bahrain's Leading Travel Management Company 2026, and Dubai's Leading Travel Management Company 2026.

John Bevan, CEO, dnata Travel Group, said: “It's fantastic to see dnata Travel, Arabian Adventures and dnata Travel Management recognised once again by the World Travel Awards. These accolades are a reflection of the incredible people behind our brands, who work every day to deliver outstanding service and memorable travel experiences for our customers across leisure, corporate travel and destination management.

“Receiving this recognition during Arabian Travel Market makes it especially meaningful. It's an opportunity to celebrate how far our brands have come, while looking ahead to what's next. From investing in new experiences and destinations to advancing technology and innovation across our businesses, we're focused on creating even greater value for travellers and partners, and helping shape the future of travel from the Middle East to the world.”

At ATM Dubai 2026, dnata Travel Group is showcasing a range of initiatives that reflect growing demand for experience-led and seamless travel. Highlights include an interactive desert-inspired activation from Arabian Adventures, insights from attractions marketplace priohub on evolving traveller booking behaviours, and the latest innovations from brands including marhaba, Yalago and Gold Medal.

The World Travel Awards acknowledges, rewards and celebrates excellence across all sectors of the global travel, tourism and hospitality industries. Winners are determined through votes cast by travel and tourism professionals and consumers worldwide.

For more information about dnata Travel Group, visit www.dnata.com/travel.

The company is seeing growing demand for snow-based holidays and cooler-climate escapes across Europe and Asia. Japan has entered dnata Travel's top five most-booked international destinations for winter 2026/27 to date, while Finland, France, Switzerland, and Georgia are recording some of the strongest year-on-year increases in bookings and climbing the company's top 20 winter destinations ranking.

The trend reflects a growing appetite for experience-led travel, with UAE travellers increasingly seeking outdoor adventures and memorable seasonal experiences, from world-class skiing and snowboarding to Arctic activities and nature-focused escapes. All-inclusive ski holidays are proving particularly popular, offering convenience and value through packages that combine accommodation, meals, lift passes and lessons.

A range of destinations is benefiting from this shift in traveller preferences. In Finnish Lapland, demand is being driven by opportunities to witness the Northern Lights, enjoy husky and reindeer safaris, and experience life above the Arctic Circle. Japan continues to attract travellers with its internationally renowned powder snow and extensive ski terrain combined with its popular culinary scene and traditional hot springs (onsen), while France and Switzerland remain favourites for premium alpine escapes in resorts such as Courchevel, Megève and Gstaad. Georgia is also gaining momentum as a value-driven ski destination, offering quality winter sports experiences within easy reach of the UAE.

Improved air connectivity is further supporting demand, including Emirates' new Dubai-Helsinki service launching next month, providing greater access to Northern Europe and Finland's Arctic regions.

The findings have been revealed at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) Dubai 2026, where dnata Travel is showcasing its latest winter holiday collection.

Meerah Ketait, Head of Retail and Leisure UAE at dnata Travel, said: “We're seeing a clear shift towards experience-led winter travel. More UAE travellers are choosing holidays that offer memorable outdoor experiences, whether that's skiing some of the world's best slopes, exploring the Arctic wilderness, or witnessing the Northern Lights in Lapland. These trips offer a complete contrast to the region's warmer climate, which is a major part of their appeal.

She added: “At the same time, we're seeing growing demand for all-inclusive ski holidays among families, couples, and groups. Travellers value the simplicity and certainty of having key elements of their trip included in one package, allowing them to focus on the experience and make the most of their time away.”

dnata Travel's featured winter 2026/27 holiday offers

Skiing in Gudauri, Georgia

Stay six nights combining stays at the four-star Gudauri Inn and five-star Lopota Lake Resort & Spa with dnata Travel, including breakfast, three days ski pass, a two-hour ski lesson, transfers and return flights, from AED 6,015 per person. This multi-location trip includes a stay on the Caucasus Mountains with easy shuttle access to Gudauri's high-altitude ski slopes, followed by the unique opportunity to stay and ice skate on a frozen lake.

Skiing in Hokkaido, Japan

Stay four nights at the five-star Hilton Niseko Village in a Family Room with dnata Travel, including breakfast, return private airport transfers, and return domestic and international flights, from AED 13,455 per person. Located directly at the foot of Mount Niseko Annupuri, this stay offers effortless ski-in and ski-out access to Japan’s world-famous powder slopes alongside an authentic thermal onsen.

Skiing in Megève, France

Stay three nights at the five-star Four Seasons Hotel Megève in a Superior Room with dnata Travel, including breakfast, and return flights, from AED 23,750 per person. This intimate luxury resort, just 75 minutes from Geneva Airport, offers world-class wellness facilities and a dedicated ski concierge.

All-inclusive ski retreat in Valmorel, France

Stay four nights at the Club Med Valmorel in a Superior Room with dnata Travel on all-inclusive, with ski passes, ski or snowboard group lessons, return shared airport transfers and return flights included, from AED 9,655 per person. A stay on the French Alps with ski in / out access is included on the mountain surrounding the charming alpine town of Valmorel. Enjoy family fun activities like sledding, skiing, and snowshoeing, the indoor pool, and gourmet Savoyard dishes.

Six-day itinerary: Finnish Lapland, A True Winter Wonderland

Experience five nights in Lapland with dnata Travel, including stays at Santa’s Hotel and Santa’s Igloos in Rovaniemi, private Northern Lights hunting by car, a private tour to Arctic Snow Hotel with dinner included, private ice floating under the Northern Lights, snowmobile adventures and other Arctic experiences, return private airport transfers, and return flights from Dubai to Helsinki on Emirates, from AED 21,405 per person.

To explore dnata Travel's latest winter holiday collection, contact the dnata Travel experts via call or WhatsApp on 800 DNATA (36282), email holidays@dnatatravel.com, or visit a dnata Travel retail outlet across the UAE. More travel inspiration can be discovered at www.dnatatravel.com.

Dubai, UAE, 3^rd September 2026: As demand for premium travel experiences from the GCC continues to grow, dnata Representation Services – part of the Dubai-based dnata Travel Group – has announced that the next edition of its luxury travel roadshow, Opulence by Ahlan Arabia, will take place in Courchevel, France, this December, marking the event's first edition outside the region.

The choice of Courchevel reflects its growing appeal among Middle East travellers seeking authentic luxury experiences. According to Courchevel Tourism, the destination now counts the Middle East as its third-largest international source market after the UK and the US, with travellers from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Kuwait contributing significantly to its visitor base.

Part of Les Trois Vallées, the world's largest linked ski area, Courchevel is renowned for its luxury hospitality, exclusive experiences, and premium winter tourism offering. International visitors account for approximately 70% of all visitors to the destination.

Having previously been hosted in Dubai, Qatar and Oman, Opulence by Ahlan Arabia will bring together leading luxury travel buyers in Courchevel for three days of business meetings, networking, and destination experiences. The event is expected to welcome 80 hosted buyers from across the GCC, Egypt and Jordan, alongside 40 international exhibitors representing luxury hotels, destinations, tourism boards, and travel brands from France, more of Europe, and across the world.

Rakhi Purohit, Head of dnata Representation Services, commented: “Hosting the third edition of Opulence by Ahlan Arabia in Courchevel gives the event a fitting home in one of the world's most renowned luxury destinations, offering guests an authentic and immersive ultra-luxury experience.

“The Middle East is one of Courchevel's most important international markets, making it a natural choice for our first edition outside the GCC. Bringing together senior decision-makers from across the luxury travel sector will help foster new partnerships while showcasing the world-class hospitality, experiences and appeal that continue to attract travellers from the region.”

With buyers in attendance set to represent royal family offices, luxury concierge companies, travel agencies, MICE specialists and wedding planners, the event is designed to create valuable business connections between Middle East travel buyers and international luxury tourism partners.

Alexia Lainé, General Manager of Courchevel Tourism, said: “We are particularly delighted to welcome an international tourism event of the calibre of Opulence by Ahlan Arabia to Courchevel. This prestigious gathering perfectly reflects the values of excellence, elegance and hospitality that define our destination.

“It represents a unique opportunity to showcase our expertise in hosting and organising international events, while further strengthening Courchevel's position as one of the world's leading high-end tourism destinations.”

Travel industry professionals interested in more information or exhibiting at the next Opulence by Ahlan Arabia can register their interest and secure a space by contacting sophia.tamang@dnata.com. For more information on dnata Representation Services and the broader dnata Travel Group offering, explore www.dnata.com/travel.

Located within one of Dubai's leading business and lifestyle destinations, the new store blends personalised travel consultancy, contemporary design and dedicated private consultation spaces. The opening marks the latest investment in dnata Travel's UAE retail network, supporting continued demand for expert-led trip planning and bespoke travel experiences.

Designed to serve both One Central's thriving business community and leisure travellers, the store offers customers access to dnata Travel's growing portfolio of premium travel services, including flights, hotels, cruises, tours, attractions, transfers and tailor-made itineraries.

Meerah Ketait, Head of Retail and Leisure UAE at dnata Travel, commented: “Travel has become increasingly personal. While customers value the convenience of booking online, many still seek expert guidance when planning complex itineraries, luxury holidays or once-in-a-lifetime experiences. We continue to see strong demand for face-to-face travel consultation, particularly within the premium travel segment.

She added: “The opening of dnata Travel One Central reflects the continued evolution of our retail offering. We've created a space where customers can sit down with our experts, be inspired, and plan everything from a quick weekend escape to a journey they've been dreaming of for years.”

The One Central store marks the latest milestone in dnata Travel's ongoing investment in its UAE retail network, bringing its presence to 15 stores nationwide. Backed by decades of travel expertise, global partnerships and a network of trusted suppliers, dnata Travel provides customers with exclusive offers, curated experiences and tailor-made journeys. The company continues to explore opportunities for further expansion as it evolves its retail offering to meet the changing needs of travellers across the UAE.

Located on the Ground Floor (Office 4) at One Central, opposite Joe & the Juice, dnata Travel’s newest store is now open seven days a week from 09:00 to 23:00.

Travellers can visit the dnata Travel team in store for personalised travel planning and consultations, contact the team via email at dnataOneCentral@dnata.com, call or WhatsApp 800 DNATA (36282), visit www.dnatatravel.com, or connect via social media at @dnataTravel.

Located at dnata’s Dubai International Airport (DXB) hub, the CICC provides teams with a centralised view of cargo operations across DXB and Dubai World Central-Al Maktoum International (DWC), enabling them to anticipate operational requirements, coordinate resources and respond quickly to changing conditions.

Connecting an operation of significant scale

The CICC oversees an operation that handled more than one million tonnes of cargo, 189,000 flight movements and 46,000 truck movements in the 2025-26 financial year. The facility brings greater visibility across this complex operation, supporting coordination between teams, facilities and activities across both airports.

The evolution of the command centre comes as Dubai continues to strengthen its position as a major global cargo and logistics hub. Global air cargo demand reached record levels in 2025, increasing 3.4% year-on-year, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Dubai is also investing significantly in the future expansion of DWC, creating additional capacity to support the emirate’s long-term aviation and logistics growth.

Turning operational data into faster decisions

At the heart of the CICC is dnata’s internally developed operational dashboard, which consolidates critical information and refreshes every 10 seconds, giving teams a near real-time view of operations.

The centre draws on dnata’s core cargo management system, One Cargo, which reflects operational activities and transactions in real time, as well as its Appointment and Dock Management (ADM) system, which provides visibility of truck movements across both airports. It also includes data from Calogi, dnata’s cargo community platform, to help teams oversee landside activities and ancillary services, including last-mile delivery.

Together, these systems enable the CICC team to monitor activity across dnata’s cargo network, identify potential bottlenecks and support coordinated action across facilities and teams.

Enhancing operational visibility and coordination

With a comprehensive view of the cargo journey, CICC teams can make faster, better-informed decisions around workload, capacity and resources. This helps maintain the smooth flow of cargo through dnata’s facilities and supports a consistently high level of service for airline and freight forwarding customers.

Nabil Sultan Al Murr, Group Chief Executive Officer, dnata, said: “Cargo operations involve thousands of interconnected activities every day, making operational visibility essential to maintaining performance at scale. Our enhanced cargo command centre is part of our ambition to continuously evolve our operating model and infrastructure to strengthen Dubai’s position as a leading global logistics hub.

“The integration of our people, systems and operational data into a single operating environment gives us a stronger foundation to manage increasing complexity and support future growth.”

Building for the future

The enhanced CICC builds on dnata’s continued investment in technology and digitalisation across its Dubai cargo operations.

Recent initiatives include the integration of autonomous drones into warehouse inventory processes, delivering more than 99% accuracy in shipment tracking, as well as a centralised cargo screening control room developed with Dubai Police, which enables six X-ray screening machines at DXB to be remotely operated and monitored from a single location.

The CICC has been designed with future growth in mind, providing a scalable model that can evolve alongside dnata’s expanding cargo operations and support increasing capacity and operational complexity across the UAE.

Yalago is a leading global leisure accommodation wholesaler, offering a curated portfolio of hotel products with competitive rates and high-quality inventory to travel trade partners worldwide. Backed by strong supplier relationships and a focus on premium offerings, the business continues to outperform industry benchmarks. In 2025, Yalago delivered its strongest year on record, achieving 25% sales growth.

In his new role, Christian will be responsible for further enhancing Yalago’s international reach, with a strategic focus on expanding its hotel portfolio, strengthening partner relationships, and driving competitive pricing.

Based in Dubai, he will report to Sébastien Doussin, Senior Vice President – Global Travel Services & Destination Management, dnata Travel Group. His appointment is effective immediately.

Sébastien Doussin commented: “We are delighted to welcome Christian to dnata Travel Group at a pivotal point in our journey. His leadership will play a key role in strengthening Yalago’s global proposition and delivering high-quality solutions for our partners. With his strong international experience and commercial expertise, he is ideally positioned to lead this next phase of growth.”

Christian brings extensive international experience across the travel and hospitality industry, having held senior leadership and board-level roles in Europe, Latin America, and the United States. He has deep expertise in both B2B and B2C distribution, with a focus on building scalable, future-ready platforms.

Christian Kremers added: “I am excited to join dnata Travel Group at such an important time for the business. Yalago has strong foundations, a talented team and significant growth potential. I look forward to working with them to drive innovation, deliver value for our partners, and support the Group’s continued global expansion.”

In addition to leading Yalago, Christian will oversee the Group’s Central Ground Services (CGS) function. Based in Dubai, CGS supports global operations through a centralised model, delivering travel products across air, land and ancillary services to brands including dnata Travel (UAE) and Travelbag (UK).

For more information on Yalago, visit www.yalago.com or contact sales.support@yalago.com. To explore more on the dnata Travel Group and its portfolio of global brands, visit www.dnata.com/travel.

The ABA League title marks a major milestone for Dubai Basketball, which secured the championship in its second season - an exceptional achievement that highlights the club’s rapid growth and increasing prominence in international basketball. 

As Founding Partner and the club’s official travel partner, dnata supports Dubai Basketball’s international travel operations as it competes in elite international tournaments, including the ABA League and EuroLeague. 

Nabil Sultan Al Murr said: “Behind every successful team is a clear vision, strong leadership and a commitment to excellence. Dubai Basketball’s achievements in such a short period reflect all three. On behalf of everyone at dnata, I congratulate the players, coaches and the entire organisation on a well-deserved ABA League title. 

He added: “As a Founding Partner, we are proud to have supported the club’s journey since the early stages. Like dnata, Dubai Basketball was built in Dubai, driven by ambition, and has earned recognition beyond the UAE through its achievements. We look forward to continuing our partnership and supporting Dubai Basketball as it builds on this success.” 

Abdulla Saeed Juma Al Naboodah said:  “Winning the ABA League title in our second season is significant milestone in the club’s journey and we are deeply grateful to dnata for their unwavering support as a Founding Partner. Their belief in our vision and trusted partnership have played an key role in enabling us to compete across Europe while proudly representing Dubai on the international stage. We look forward to building on this momentum together and achieving even greater success in the seasons ahead.” 

The partnership reflects dnata’s commitment to supporting sport in the UAE and elevating Dubai’s profile on the international stage through world-class competition. dnata’s branding appears on Dubai Basketball’s official jerseys, throughout the Coca-Cola Arena and across the club’s digital platforms. The company also leverages the partnership to showcase its portfolio of brands, including dnata Travel, Arabian Adventures and marhaba, through fan engagement initiatives and game-day activations. 

Effective this month, the move covers 150 employees at Rome Fiumicino (FCO) and a further 150 across Milan Malpensa (MXP) and Milan Linate (LIN) airports. It forms part of dnata Italy’s long-term workforce strategy, supporting greater employment stability, skills development and operational resilience across three of the country’s major aviation hubs.

Strengthening one of dnata’s largest European operations

The milestone comes as dnata continues to enhance one of its largest airport services operations in Europe. In recent years, the company has expanded its presence in Italy through its entry into FCO, the full integration of its Italian ground handling business under the dnata brand, and continued investment in advanced infrastructure and fleet.

Across the three airports, dnata now employs approximately 5,000 people and serves more than 60 airline customers. Its teams handle more than 150,000 flights, 46 million passengers and almost 18 million bags each year, providing passenger, ramp, baggage and cargo ramp services.

Alberto Morosi, CEO of dnata Italy, said: “Italy is a major part of dnata’s global airport operations, and our people are at the heart of our success. By converting 300 roles into permanent positions, we are giving more of our colleagues greater stability while strengthening the teams that support our airline customers across Rome and Milan.

“This milestone reflects the progress we have made in Italy and the confidence we have in the future of the market. Following the integration of our Italian ground handling business under the dnata brand, we are now focused on the next phase of growth: investing in our people, enhancing our operational capability and continuing to deliver safe, reliable and high-quality services for our customers.”

Building capability across Rome and Milan

At FCO, where dnata secured a seven-year ground handling licence in February 2025, the company has continued to build its team and capabilities. The station now employs more than 2,500 people and serves 25 airline customers, with over 80,000 flights handled since launch and around 700 new ground support equipment (GSE) units deployed.

In Milan, dnata continues to strengthen its presence across MXP and LIN, while progressing its cargo expansion at Malpensa. Construction is well underway on the new €25 million facility, which will have an annual handling capacity of over 100,000 tonnes. Scheduled to open at the end of 2027, it is expected to create 200 additional jobs.

Supporting stable, skilled employment

The conversion of 300 roles into permanent positions follows agreements previously signed with trade unions in Italy. These include measures designed to further develop the organisation, support the development of internal talent and promote employee welfare initiatives, including programmes that promote a better work-life balance.

The initiative reflects dnata’s continued focus on building stable, skilled teams in key markets across its global network. As airline customers continue to focus on safe, consistent and high-quality airport operations, dnata is investing in the people, infrastructure and systems that support long-term service excellence.

According to the latest dnata Travel booking data, the Maldives is the most popular international destination for UAE travellers this summer, accounting for around 20% of all overseas hotel bookings. The destination also dominates demand for all-inclusive holidays, representing 54% of dnata Travel’s all-inclusive bookings in 2026 so far. This trend highlights travellers' growing preference for convenience and value, with accommodation, dining and experiences secured before departure.

Against this backdrop, Secret Stays offers customers the opportunity to secure a luxury escape without knowing the name of the resort until after booking is confirmed. The concept reflects a growing preference for expert-curated holidays, while retaining an element of surprise.

dnata Travel has partnered with one of the Maldives' most established resorts to create an exclusive ‘Secret Stays Maldives’ offer for UAE residents.

“The Maldives is a destination where many travellers turn to our experts for guidance, simply because there are so many resorts to choose from,” said Meerah Ketait, Head of Retail and Leisure UAE at dnata Travel.

“Secret Stays Maldives removes that complexity. Customers can book with confidence, knowing they are securing exceptional value at a quality resort, while enjoying the excitement of a surprise reveal.”

Already prompting a surge in customer enquiries since its 1 July launch, Secret Stays Maldives is available to book until 31 July 2026, for travel through to 30 September 2026. Travellers can secure a three-night luxury escape from AED 2,590 per adult, with the destination revealed upfront, while the resort itself remains under wraps until booking is complete.

The limited-time package, exclusive to dnata Travel customers, includes three nights' accommodation in a Beach Villa on Full Board, with return speedboat transfers, a complimentary floating breakfast, dedicated Island Host service, in-room check-in, and a selection of premium value-adds. Guests can also enjoy complimentary chef's treats, bicycle use, access to leisure facilities, a daily house reef boat trip (terms and conditions apply), and a 20% discount on selected spa treatments during the first two days of their stay, alongside additional exclusive benefits.

Secret Stays Maldives is available exclusively through dnata Travel for bookings from now until 31 July 2026, for travel until 30 September 2026. Travellers can book with dnata Travel’s experts via call or WhatsApp on 800 DNATA (36282), on social media @dnataTravel, email holidays@dnatatravel.com, or visit a dnata Travel retail outlet, with stores located across the UAE.

The award was presented by His Excellency Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Majra, to Emirates' Deputy President and Chief Operations Officer, Adel Al Redha, under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court.

The Impact Seal – Platinum Tier is the UAE's highest federal recognition for organisations that have demonstrated outstanding performance and measurable impact across environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices. It follows a comprehensive assessment against Majra's evaluation metrics, spanning an organisation's CSR initiatives, sustainability practices, governance, and overall impact, alongside its alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and UAE national priorities.

Adel Al Redha said: "The Emirates Group is proud to be recognised with the Platinum Impact Seal for the second consecutive cycle, and this award reaffirms and demonstrates our continued commitment to advancing sustainability and introducing innovative practices across our businesses. We recognise our responsibility to support and participate in solutions that contribute to the aviation’s environmental challenges, therefore we continue to focus on making progress and taking an active role where we can have a positive outcome: through practical environmental practices and projects, support for our communities, sound governance, and partnerships across our ecosystem aimed at practical solutions, in line with the UAE's national priorities."

The Emirates Group’s Environmental Sustainability Framework is built on three pillars: reducing emissions, consuming responsibly, and preserving wildlife and habitats.  Across these pillars, the Group strives to deliver value to people, communities and economies while aiming to continuously improve its environmental performance. Some initiatives over the last year include:

• Green Ops: The airline continues implementing its operational fuel efficiency programme, first established in 2016, to reduce fuel consumption and emissions through pilot training, data analytics, optimised flight routings, reducing engine taxiing, among others. In 2024–25, these initiatives saved over 98,000 tonnes of fuel and cut carbon emissions by more than 312,000 tonnes while maintaining safety.
• Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF): In 2025-2026, Emirates procured over 28,000 tonnes of SAF, leading to further reduction in emissions by more than 93,000 tonnes. The airline also signed an MoU with ENOC Group to explore and develop joint initiatives for the supply of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) to Emirates at its Dubai hub.
• Upcycling materials from the world’s largest retrofit programme: Fabrics and parts salvaged from the airline's retrofit programme have been upcycled into limited-edition luggage pieces, with proceeds supporting the Emirates Airline Foundation. In 2025, the airline launched the Aircrafted KIDS programme and has so far donated around 4,000 upcycled school bags to children’s organisations across Africa, Asia and the Middle East.
• Repurposing plastic: The airline continued its closed-loop recycling initiative for inflight meal service items, which have so far repurposed over 88,000 kilograms of damaged or unserviceable items into new products for use onboard.
• Clean energy: In October 2024, Emirates partnered with Etihad Clean Energy Development to install nearly 40,000 solar panels at Emirates Engineering Centre, supplying 37% of the facility’s energy and reducing annual CO₂e emissions by over 13,000 tonnes.
• Emirates Flight Catering (EKFC) biodigester: EKFC, the world’s largest flight catering facility, commissioned a large-scale, custom-built biodigester to enable on-site processing of organic waste. At full capacity, the biodigester is estimated to avoid more than 2,000 tonnes of carbon emissions annually.
• Fleet transformation: dnata is steadily replacing diesel-powered ground support equipment with hybrid, electric and, in the future, hydrogen-powered alternatives. As a result of its investments in recent years, more than 17% of its global fleet is now electrified.
• Alternative fuel adoption: dnata supports the use of lower-carbon fuels, including biodiesel, hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) and other emerging fuel alternatives. In the financial year 2025–26, dnata increased its global consumption of alternative fuels by 89% year-on-year. This progress builds on a landmark achievement in the UAE in 2024, when dnata transitioned all non-electric airside vehicles in Dubai to biodiesel, reducing CO₂-equivalent emissions by more than 3,500 tonnes annually.
• Investment in renewable energy: dnata continues to invest in renewable energy across its facilities, including the installation of solar photovoltaic systems and the adoption of renewable electricity tariffs. In the financial year 2025–26, its onsite solar systems generated 5,126 MWh of electricity, while a further 24,564 MWh was sourced through renewable energy tariffs globally. As a result, renewables accounted for 15% of dnata's total energy consumption.
• Waste reduction and resource efficiency: dnata is focused on reducing material consumption and waste, increasing recycling and reuse, and advancing circular solutions across its operations. In the financial year 2025–26, 47% of waste generated across dnata's global operations was diverted from disposal.

This year’s ceremony also marked the launch of the UAE Companies for Good 2031 Strategy, a national framework designed to strengthen private sector contributions to advance the UAE's Impact Economy and further enhance the country's CSR, ESG and sustainability ecosystem.

For more information about dnata's and Emirates' sustainability initiatives, visit: 

https://www.dnata.com/en/sustainability/environmental-initiatives/
https://www.emirates.com/media-centre/connecting-tomorrow/

The award follows a competitive public tender by the airport operator and enables dnata to continue providing high-quality ground handling services at AMS for the next seven years, as Schiphol moves into the next phase of its ground handling operations.

dnata has been serving airline customers in Amsterdam for more than a decade, providing passenger, baggage, ramp and cargo services to a diverse portfolio of major international carriers and specialist operators. The company currently supports more than 20 passenger and cargo airlines at Schiphol, with a team of over 1,200 employees handling approximately 500,000 tonnes of cargo and around 16,000 flights each year.

Thiemo van Spellen, Managing Director, dnata Netherlands, said: “We are proud to continue our ground handling operations at Amsterdam Schiphol. 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.

“Schiphol is a critical hub in European aviation, and this is an important moment for the airport’s ground handling community. We look forward to continuing our close collaboration with Schiphol, our airline customers, employees, unions and industry partners as the airport enters its next phase. Together, we remain focused on supporting smooth operations, high service standards and a resilient operating environment.”

With the seven-year license secured, dnata is well positioned to build on its existing operations at Schiphol, deepen customer partnerships and pursue new growth opportunities. The company’s dedicated local team will work closely with Schiphol and airline partners throughout the transition into the new license period.

The renewed mandate also highlights dnata’s broader commitment to Amsterdam and the Netherlands, where the company continues to invest in its people, infrastructure and operational capabilities. This includes dnata Cargo City Amsterdam, one of the largest facilities of its kind, with an annual capacity of 600,000 tonnes and representing a €70 million investment. The facility forms part of dnata’s long-term plans at Schiphol, alongside continued investment in ground support equipment, environmental management, operational excellence and customer partnerships.

Amsterdam remains a key station in dnata’s European network. Across the Netherlands, dnata combines local expertise with the scale, systems and standards of a global aviation services provider, supporting customers across passenger, ramp and cargo operations at Schiphol.

Globally, dnata provides ground handling, cargo, travel, catering and retail services in 37 countries across six continents. In the financial year 2025-26, dnata’s customer-oriented teams handled 888,793 aircraft turns and moved 3.2 million tonnes of cargo.

By unifying commercial cruise leadership across its destination management brands, dnata Travel Group aims to provide cruise partners with more coordinated support across multiple ports, simplified communication, greater consistency in delivery, and enhanced commercial value across the network.

In his expanded role, Materi will work closely with cruise operators and relevant authorities to help restore cruise itineraries in the Middle East, while optimising dnata’s cruise business worldwide.

Sebastien Doussin, Senior Vice President – Global Travel Services & Destination Management, dnata Travel Group, said: “Cruise tourism is entering an extraordinary phase of growth, even as parts of the industry continue to adapt to evolving global conditions.

“Cruise lines are increasingly looking for partners who can deliver consistency, scale, and exceptional service across multiple ports. By bringing our regional cruise teams under one commercial strategy, we’re strengthening our ability to support our partners end‑to‑end – from shore excursions to ground handling – and ensuring travellers enjoy a seamless experience at every destination.

“I wish Alvin every success in his new role and look forward to seeing him further strengthen our cruise business across the group.”

A seasoned leader with global cruise expertise

With more than 30 years of experience in the global cruise sector, Materi brings extensive operational expertise and long‑standing relationships with major cruise lines. He has played a key role within Destination Asia, where he supported the expansion of cruise operations across Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, and South Korea, and led the launch of Expeditions by Destination Asia, serving one of the industry’s fastest‑growing segments.

Arabian Adventures and Destination Asia: enhanced focus on cruise operations

As part of its broader strategy, dnata Travel Group has consistently enhanced its cruise offering across its brands.

In recent years, Dubai has seen a strong rise in cruise arrivals through the rapidly expanding Dubai Harbour, where Arabian Adventures delivers shore excursions – including its award‑winning desert and city experiences – for thousands of visitors each season.

Destination Asia recently expanded into South Korea with a new office supporting cruise and MICE growth. The business also launched Expeditions by Destination Asia in 2025 in response to rising demand for small‑ship and expedition cruising, strengthening its leadership across the region.

Operational continuity across destination brands

In Dubai, Sebastien Garcia, Vice President of Arabian Adventures, and Ben Smith, Head of Operations, will continue to oversee cruise and ground operations. Oana Jianu, Karla Cervantes and the Dubai-based cruise team report directly to Ben, ensuring continuity and operational strength.

In Asia, Matt Smith, CEO of Destination Asia, will continue to work closely with Alvin Materi and the established in‑country cruise managers to ensure seamless, consistent operational delivery across all destinations.

For more information on Arabian Adventures and Destination Asia’s cruise handling divisions, visit www.arabian-adventures.com and www.destination-asia.com.

Demand for overseas travel is being fuelled by a mix of Indian Ocean beach escapes and long-haul destinations. The entry of Canada, Australia, Japan and the United States into this summer’s top 10 reflects a growing appetite for longer, experience-led holidays, as UAE travellers show an increasing willingness to explore further afield.

Meerah Ketait, Head of Retail and Leisure UAE at dnata Travel, said: “International travel is proving more popular than ever this summer, with nine in 10 hotel bookings made for overseas destinations. While traditional favourites such as the Maldives, Thailand and Mauritius continue to attract strong demand, we are also seeing rising interest in long-haul travel as customers seek new destinations and more experience-driven holidays.

“UAE staycations remain an important segment of the market, particularly for short weekend getaways, with Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Fujairah among the most popular domestic destinations this summer.

“Internationally, travellers are staying for an average of around five nights, with long-haul trips often extending beyond this. Demand for four- and five-star properties remains particularly strong, with average booking values up approximately 16% year-on-year.”

dnata Travel’s experts continuously monitor evolving travel trends and leverage long-standing global partnerships to secure exclusive rates, value-added benefits, and curated holiday options for UAE customers. The agency’s summer campaign spotlights last-minute escapes to trending beach and city destinations worldwide.

dnata Travel’s featured summer 2026 holiday offers:

Maldives
Stay three nights at the 5-star Kagi Maldives Resort & Spa with dnata Travel in a Lagoon Pool Villa, with a complimentary full board upgrade, 45% savings on your stay, kids stay free, return speedboat transfers, and return flights, from AED 7,055 per adult.

Thailand
Stay three nights at the 5-star Mida Grande Resort Phuket with dnata Travel in a Deluxe Room Ocean View on Half-Board basis, with 50% savings on your stay, 40% savings on dining, kids stay free, and return flights, from AED 4,775 per adult.

Seychelles​​
Stay three nights at the 5-star Niva Labriz Seychelles with dnata Travel in a Garden Villa with breakfast daily, 30% savings on your stay, kids stay and eat free, and return flights, from AED 7,685 per adult. 

Mauritius
Stay three nights at the 5-star Long Beach, a Sunlife Resort, Mauritius with dnata Travel in a Junior Suite on Half-Board basis, with 35% savings on your stay, kids stay free, and return flights, from AED 6,085 per adult.

Istanbul
Stay three nights at the 5-star Hilton Istanbul Bomonti Hotel & Conference Center with dnata Travel in a Guest Room with breakfast daily, and return flights, from AED 3,250 per person.

To explore more trending destinations from the UAE with dnata Travel, visit www.dnataTravel.com. For more travel advice and inspiration, contact the dnata Travel experts via call or WhatsApp on 800 DNATA (36282), on social media @dnataTravel, email holidays@dnatatravel.com, or visit a dnata Travel retail outlet, with stores located across the UAE.

Under the new agreement, dnata will support Air Macau’s daily operations in Singapore, producing an estimated 54,000 meals annually across business and economy cabins.

With the addition of Air Macau, dnata now caters for all Air China Group airlines operating in Singapore – Air China, Shenzhen Airlines, Shandong Airlines and Air Macau – handling a combined 5,100 flights and 580,000 meals per year for the group at Changi.

The milestone builds on a well-established relationship, with dnata supporting Air China for over 20 years, alongside nearly a decade of partnerships with Shenzhen Airlines and Shandong Airlines in Singapore.

Matthew Igo Ball, Managing Director, dnata Catering & Retail Singapore, said: “Welcoming Air Macau into our portfolio further strengthens our long-standing partnership with the Air China Group in Singapore. We support the group’s full network at Changi Airport, delivering more than half a million meals annually across its operations.

"This scale reflects the trust our partners place in our teams, and our ability to deliver consistent, high-quality inflight dining at pace. As we continue to grow with our airline customers, our focus remains on operational excellence and menus that meet the evolving expectations of international travellers.”

Operating from its 23,000-square-metre facility at Singapore Changi Airport, dnata Catering & Retail Singapore delivers inflight dining and retail solutions at scale, producing approximately 6.5 million meals annually for more than 30 airline customers. The operation is supported by a team of over 500 employees, combining culinary expertise with operational reliability to serve a diverse portfolio of international carriers.

4^th June 2026, Dubai, UAE: dnata Travel Group has announced the appointment of Maura Geertsma as its new Divisional Vice President, Corporate Travel. The newly created role strengthens the company’s ability to meet global demand for strategic corporate travel solutions.

Based in Dubai, Maura will oversee dnata Travel Management – the Group’s corporate travel business – working closely with its regional leadership across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, and Iraq to enhance service excellence, strengthen market positioning, and drive the next phase of strategic growth. She brings more than 20 years of international experience across the travel, hospitality, and mobility sectors, leading commercial, customer, and partner functions across EMEA, APAC, and the Americas, with a consistent record of linking commercial strategy to long‑term value.

dnata Travel Management delivers end-to-end, traveller-centric programmes powered by advanced technology and regional expertise. As traveller expectations evolve toward more purposeful, premium, and flexible ‘bleisure’ travel, the company is enhancing its offering through digitised, data-led programmes and real-time duty of care.

John Bevan, CEO of dnata Travel Group, commented: “We are delighted to welcome Maura to the dnata Travel Group Executive Team. Maura’s global perspective and people‑first leadership will help us scale technology‑driven programmes, from online booking tools and virtual payments to real‑time visibility, while continuing to support our busiest routes within the GCC and globally.”

“I’m honoured to join dnata Travel Group,” added Maura. “My focus is to keep the traveller at the centre, raise the bar for premium and executive journeys, and deliver measurable value for our clients. I look forward to partnering with our customers and teams as we build the next phase of sustainable, connected, end-to-end corporate travel.”

As a leading corporate travel provider in the Middle East, dnata Travel Management delivers a comprehensive suite of travel programme solutions built around traveller needs. Backed by dnata Travel Group’s global platform, the business combines advanced technology, expert service, and strong supplier partnerships to support organisations across the region. Find out more at www.dnata.com/travel.

As part of the agreement, dnata will support Silk Way Group’s twice-weekly freighter services at SIN. The operation is expected to handle more than 15,000 tonnes of cargo each year, including general freight, temperature-sensitive goods and specialised shipments such as oil and gas, aviation and aerospace equipment.

The contract was awarded following a highly competitive tender process, reinforcing dnata’s position as a trusted cargo partner in one of Asia’s most dynamic air freight markets.

Tom Alwyn-Jones, Managing Director of dnata’s Airport Operations unit in Singapore, said: “This agreement reflects the strength of our operations in Singapore and our ability to support freighter carriers in a fast-paced and highly coordinated hub, working closely with partners across the Changi Airport community – something our team here takes real pride in.

For us, it’s about delivering consistent, reliable handling on the ground – ensuring aircraft turnarounds, cargo flows and service standards are maintained, even as operational demands continue to increase. That comes down to having the right teams, processes and systems in place locally, working together to keep operations running smoothly at scale.”

This latest agreement builds on dnata’s longstanding relationship with Silk Way Group across multiple international markets, where it already supports Silk Way West Airlines’ operations at scale – handling more than 1,000 flights and significant cargo volumes each year. More recently, the partnership has extended to a joint venture to develop an aviation services hub in Azerbaijan.

Onno Pietersma, Chief Operating Officer of Silkway West Airlines, said: “Reliable ground and cargo handling is critical to maintaining efficient freighter operations, particularly in major transit hubs such as Singapore.

With dnata’s support on the ground, we are well positioned to maintain high operational standards and continue delivering dependable service across our network.”

Across its network, dnata has been investing in digital systems, automation and operational processes aimed at improving visibility, control and throughput in cargo handling. These include advanced cargo management systems, data-led planning tools and modern weight and dimensioning technology, alongside ongoing upgrades to ground support equipment.

These capabilities, combined with dnata’s strong safety performance and customer-focused approach, enable the company to deliver efficient, reliable and scalable cargo solutions tailored to the evolving needs of airline partners.

In Singapore, dnata provides a full suite of its aviation services at SIN, supporting over 30 airline customers and handling approximately 250,000 tonnes of cargo annually. The team manages about 22,000 flights per year and employs more than 1,500 people, playing a key role in dnata’s Asia-Pacific network.

Globally, dnata delivers reliable and safe ground handling and cargo services at more than 90 airports across 16 countries. In the financial year 2025-26, dnata’s customer-oriented teams handled over 888,000 aircraft turns and moved 3.2 million tonnes of cargo.

Emirates is the world’s most profitable airline in the 2025-26 reporting period.

For the financial year ended 31 March 2026, the Emirates Group reported:

• record profit before tax (PBT) of AED 24.4 billion (US$ 6.6 billion), up 7% from last year, and a PBT margin of 16.2%
• record revenue of AED 150.5 billion (US$ 41.0 billion), up 3% over last year’s results
• record level of cash assets at AED 59.6 billion (US$ 16.2 billion), up 12% from last year
• EBITDA of AED 41.1 billion (US$ 11.2 billion), reflecting its strong operating profitability.

dnata delivered solid growth and performance across its business units, reporting:

• record profit before tax (PBT) of AED 1.6 billion (US$ 437 million), up 2% from last year, and a PBT margin of 6.8%
• record revenue of AED 23.6 billion (US$ 6.4 billion), up 12%
• strong cash assets of AED 4.7 billion (US$ 1.3 billion), up by 28%.

Emirates retains its place as the world’s most profitable airline, reporting:

• record profit before tax (PBT) of AED 22.8 billion (US$ 6.2 billion), up 7% from last year, and a PBT margin of 17.4%
• record revenue of AED 130.9 billion (US$ 35.7 billion), an increase of 2% over last year
• highest-ever level of cash assets at AED 54.9 billion (US$ 15.0 billion), 10% higher compared to 31 March 2025.   

The Group declares a dividend of AED 3.5 billion (US$ 1.0 billion) to its owner, the Investment Corporation of Dubai (ICD). 

The UAE corporate tax rate applied to the Emirates Group increased from 9% to 15% this year, due to the adoption of Pillar Two tax rules in the UAE. After accounting for the tax charge, the Group’s profit after tax is AED 21.0 billion (US$ 5.7 billion), up 3% from 2024-25.

His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates airline and Group said: “These outstanding results, despite significant challenges in the last month of our financial year, reaffirm the strength and resilience of the Emirates Group’s business model, which is rooted in safety, excellence, innovation, people and partnerships.

“For the first 11 months of 2025-26, the picture across the Group was very positive. Strong demand for our products and services was driving revenue, and we were achieving healthy margins thanks to our sustained investments in product, people, technology and brand. Month after month, we were surpassing our targets.

“On 28 February, military activity massively disrupted global commercial air traffic in the Gulf region, including in the UAE. Emirates and dnata quickly mobilised to support our people and affected customers, protect our assets, and ensure business continuity.

“We are fortunate to be based in Dubai, where years of infrastructure investments and a cohesive aviation ecosystem has enabled the government to quickly secure safe corridors for commercial flights. Emirates and dnata have since gradually restored operations at DXB. Although we are still operating at a lower passenger capacity than pre-disruption, cargo operations have ramped up to support the movement of essential goods into and through the UAE.”

HH Sheikh Ahmed added: “The Emirates Group has navigated crises and disruptions before. Each time, we placed our focus on our customers and our people, and each time, we have bounced back stronger.  

“Our people are a big part of our success, enabling us to respond with agility in a dynamic operating environment. I’d like to thank all our employees – they have truly exemplified the qualities that set the Emirates Group apart during testing times.

“I am grateful to HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and his sons HH Sheikh Hamdan and HH Sheikh Maktoum, for their stewardship of Dubai and unshaken support for aviation - the Emirates Group is proud to contribute to Dubai’s strategy under their leadership. Also, a big thank you to all our ecosystem partners who keep global aviation moving. Their collaboration and solidarity are invaluable and reflect the spirit of partnership that is central to how the Emirates Group operates.”

In 2025-26, the Group collectively invested AED 17.9 billion (US$ 4.9 billion) in new aircraft, facilities, equipment, and the latest technologies to support its growth plans.

The Group’s total workforce grew by 8% to 130,919 employees, as Emirates and dnata continued recruitment activity around the world to support its expanding operations and boost its future capabilities. The Group’s UAE national workforce also grew to surpass 4,000, showing the success of its programmes to attract, grow and retain local talent.

Commenting on the outlook for 2026-27, Sheikh Ahmed said: “Right now, military activities between the US, Israel and Iran are paused under a ceasefire agreement. We hope for a clear resolution to the hostilities soon, and a return to market stability. But in the meantime, we are not sitting on our hands. 

“From a fuel perspective, Emirates is well-hedged until 2028-29; and we have worked with our suppliers to secure the volumes required to support our current operations and our scaling up to pre-disruption levels. At dnata and across the Group, our business streams, scale, portfolio mix, and years of investments give us the resilience and agility to address any near-term challenges.

“The Emirates Group enters 2026-27 with very strong cash reserves, which enable us to progress with our plans to strengthen our business without knee-jerk cost control measures. Our aircraft deliveries and retrofit programme will continue apace, as well as our planned investments in new facilities and equipment. Emirates and dnata will stay focused on offering industry-leading products and customer experiences, differentiating ourselves on the global stage, attracting the best talent, and delivering value to the communities we serve.

“Our fundamentals are strong. The Emirates Group’s proven business model is unchanged.  Dubai’s place at the nexus of global commerce, trade and travel flows is unchanged. Our ambition to be the best in the world, and to be of service to the world, is unchanged.”

dnata performance

dnata increased its profit before tax by 2% to AED 1.6 billion (US$ 437 million) in 2025-26, with all business divisions reporting a solid performance, and notable contributions from its airport operations and catering and retail divisions. dnata’s profit after tax stood at AED 1.3 billion (US$ 367 million), a 4% decrease, which is primarily due to a higher UAE tax rate applied in 2025-26.

dnata's total revenue increased by 12% to hit a new record of AED 23.6 billion (US$ 6.4 billion), driven by increased flight and travel activity across the world, particularly in its major markets: Australia, Europe, the UAE, UK, and US.

dnata’s international businesses account for 77% of its revenue, up 2% points from the previous year.

Growing its future capabilities and capacity to meet customer needs, dnata’s investments in 2025-26 amounted to AED 858 million (US$ 234 million). Significant investments during the year included: new catering facilities in Perth and Western Sydney, a new cargo facility in Amsterdam, and new electric and hybrid ground support equipment for its airport operations as part of its environmental strategy.

dnata also acquired Wymap Group, an air cargo trucking specialist in Australia and New Zealand; and a 7% stake in WonderMiles, a New Distribution Capability (NDC)-enabled booking platform to strengthen our corporate and business travel offering.

dnata continued to actively manage its diverse portfolio of business interests in line with its corporate strategy. This year, dnata disposed of its 75% stake in Super Bus, which operates sightseeing tours in the UAE; and in Germany, it exited cargo operations in Cologne/Bonn.

In 2025-26, dnata’s operating costs increased by 13% to AED 22.1 billion (US$ 6.0 billion), in line with expanded operations in its Airport Operations, Catering & Retail, and Travel divisions.

dnata’s cash balance increased by AED 1.0 billion to AED 4.7 billion (US$ 1.3 billion), primarily due to operating cash flow. The business saw a positive operating cash flow of AED 2.4 billion (US$ 658 million) in 2025-26, reflecting healthy revenue contributions from its business divisions.

Revenue from dnata’s Airport Operations, including ground and cargo handling increased to AED 11.2 billion (US$ 3.1 billion).

The number of aircraft turns handled by dnata globally grew by 12% to 888,793; and cargo handled increased by 2% to 3.2 million tonnes, reflecting new contracts won, and increased flight activity by dnata’s airline customers across markets, particularly in its international operations.

This year, dnata announced a joint venture agreement to launch ground handling and cargo operations in Azerbaijan when the new Alat International airport opens in late 2027.

In Amsterdam, dnata opened a new and fully automated cargo facility, one of the largest of its kind with an annual capacity of 600,000 tonnes, representing a €70 million investment.

In Italy, dnata integrated all its ground operations under its brand and business organisation after fully acquiring its local subsidiary. It also committed a further €20 million to procure modern ground service equipment (GSE) in Rome, and €25 million to build a new cargo facility in Milan. In Manchester, dnata launched its signature marhaba meet-and-greet services.

dnata’s Catering & Retail business accounted for AED 8.1 billion (US$ 2.2 billion) of dnata’s revenue, up by 13%, reflecting the success of its strategy to focus its service portfolio on strategic customer segments. The inflight catering business uplifted 115.3 million meals to airline customers, a 1% increase from last year.

The division won 22 contract renewals and 13 new customers in 2025-26, including a 5-year agreement to manage Aer Lingus’ inflight retail programme. It also expanded into Indonesia via a long-term management contract to provide expert catering support at Denpasar International Airport. 

Revenue from dnata’s Travel Services division grew by 5% to AED 4.1 billion (US$ 1.1 billion), with strong contributions from its UK travel business and Destination Asia. 

Total transaction value (TTV) of travel services sold increased by 3% to AED 10.1 billion (US$ 2.7 billion), reflecting the division’s ability to deliver relevant B2B and B2C travel products across customer segments globally.

Throughout the year, the Travel division continued to strengthen its product portfolio, expand its partnerships and products for B2B and B2C customers, and enhance its technology to better serve customers and optimise operations. Notably, in 2025-26, Imagine Cruising officially launched in the US; Destination Asia introduced a specialist service for expedition cruising, and its Events and Cruise Asia brands opened a new office in Seoul; and dnata Representation Services launched a new B2B online booking portal for its GSA products for travel trade partners.

In the UAE, dnata Travel signed on new corporate clients and new airline GSA contracts; while Arabian Adventures launched Nomad Garden, a new luxury desert experience, and enhanced its presence in Oman with bespoke itineraries.

In the UK, after completing a strategic review of its travel businesses, dnata announced the divestment of its online travel brands - Travel Republic and Netflights.

Emirates performance

Emirates’ total passenger and cargo capacity grew 1% to 60.6 billion ATKMs in 2025-26.

During the year, Emirates launched four new destinations – Da Nang, Hangzhou, Siem Reap and Shenzhen; and added services to existing destinations to meet customer demand. By 31 March, Emirates’ global network spanned 152 cities in 80 countries. Emirates also grew its partnerships to 32 codeshare and 117 interline partners, providing customers smooth access to over 1,700 cities beyond its network.  

Emirates grew its passenger fleet with the delivery of 15 Airbus A350 aircraft this year, enabling the airline to offer even more customers its latest products, including the popular Premium Economy Class and a new-generation inflight entertainment system. By 31 March, Emirates had 19 A350s in its fleet flying to 21 destinations.

Total fleet count at year end was 277 units, with an average fleet age of 10.8 years. 

At the 2025 Dubai Airshow, Emirates announced further fleet investments worth US$ 41.4 billion at list prices – for 65 more Boeing 777-9s and 8 more A350-900 aircraft. At 31 March, Emirates’ order book had 367 aircraft, comprising of: 54 A350s, 270 Boeing 777x, 35 787s, and 8 777Fs, with deliveries scheduled through to 2038.

By strategically deploying capacity to serve surging demand across markets, Emirates’ total revenue for the financial year increased 2% to AED 130.9 billion (US$ 35.7 billion). Currency fluctuations in some of the airline’s major markets positively impacted the airline’s profitability by AED 332 million (US$ 90 million).

Emirates’ strong commercial performance delivered an operating cash flow of AED 32.0 billion (US$ 8.7 billion) in 2025-26 – this enables the airline to sustain its business growth plans.

Total operating costs increased by 2% from last financial year. Fuel and employee cost were the airline’s two biggest cost components in 2025-26, followed by cost of ownership (depreciation and amortisation). Fuel accounted for 29% of operating costs compared to 31% in 2024-25. The airline’s fuel bill decreased slightly to AED 31.2 billion (US$ 8.5 billion) compared to AED 32.6 billion (US$ 8.9 billion) the previous year, as lower average fuel price (down 7%) offset a higher uplift of 1% from increased flying.

Due to strong travel demand across market segments, and the airline’s ability to earn customer preference through its strong network, high quality products and services, Emirates hit a new record profit after tax of AED 19.7 billion (US$ 5.4 billion), exceeding last year’s AED 19.1 billion (US$ 5.2 billion) result with an outstanding net profit margin of 15.0%. This is the best profit performance in the airline’s history, and in the airline industry for the reporting year 2025-26.

Emirates carried 53.2 million passengers (down 1%) in 2025-26, with seat capacity down by 1%. The airline reports a Passenger Seat Factor of 78.4%, a marginal decline from 78.9% last year. Passenger yield was higher by 4% at 38.1 fils (10.4 US cents) per Revenue Passenger Kilometre (RPKM).  

Emirates continued to invest in delivering ever better customer experiences. In November, the airline announced a deal with Starlink to equip its fleet with high-speed Wi-Fi. Emirates quickly rolled out Starlink deployment, and by 31 March, 21 aircraft were already fitted and offering best-in-sky connectivity to customers, with more to follow.

During the year, the airline’s US$ 5.0 billion retrofit programme continued at pace. To date, 91 aircraft (out of 215 units earmarked) have completed a full cabin refresh, to feature Emirates’ latest inflight products including the popular Premium Economy seats.

On ground, Emirates First - a new exclusive check in lounge dedicated to First Class customers and Skywards Platinum members was opened at Emirates Terminal 3 in Dubai; complimentary Chauffeur Drive services for First and Business Class customers were introduced in Tokyo Narita and Kansai International, and complimentary bus services for Economy Class customers in Clark.

Emirates launched a new “Accessible and Inclusive Travel Hub” on emirates.com to help travellers with varying accessibility requirements plan their journey. It also introduced new onboard sensory products and fidget toys for children and adults, and organised “travel rehearsals” at dozens of airports around the world to help ease travel anxiety for children with autism and their families.

This year, Emirates signed an agreement with Dubai Investments Park to secure a site for Emirates’ Cabin Crew Village, a multi-billion dirham residential community for 12,000 crew when completed; opened a new flight crew training centre to support the airline’s fleet growth; and launched the Emirates Centre of Hospitality to provide world-class hospitality training for its 25,000-strong cabin crew.

Emirates Skywards marked its 25-year anniversary with a high-visibility campaign and enhanced reward opportunities for members during the year. Highlights included: offering Classic Rewards redemptions on all flydubai flights in all cabins; Classic Rewards and Upgrade Rewards redemptions in Emirates Premium Economy; and the charity auction of 7 rare Skywards membership numbers with Platinum tier status.

Emirates SkyCargo delivered an outstanding year, carrying 2.4 million tonnes of goods around the world, up 3% from the previous year.

The delivery of 5 new Boeing 777 freighters during the year enabled the division to grow its freighter capacity by 13%.

Emirates SkyCargo reported a solid revenue of AED 16.2 billion (US$ 4.4 billion), contributing 12% to Emirates’ total revenue. Cargo yield per Freight Tonne Kilometre (FTKM) decreased by 3%, due to market pressure, and the impact of tariffs on trade particularly in eCommerce.  

Overall, Emirates SkyCargo’s performance reflects the division’s ability to win customer preference through its suite of specialist logistics solutions, the power of Emirates’ global network, Dubai’s world-class intermodal logistics capabilities, and its ongoing investments in digital technology, infrastructure, and products.

During the year, SkyCargo expanded its freighter network to 44 points with the addition of Bangkok, Budapest, Liege, and Tokyo Narita; added frequency to existing freighter routes; and grew its trucking network.

The division continued its strategy of offering tailored cargo solutions as a key differentiator and value proposition. This year, it launched Emirates Courier Express – an innovative door-to-door cross border delivery solution; and a new Aerospace and Engineering suite of specialist services to transport time-critical components for the aviation, engineering, defence and space industries.

At the end of March, Emirates’ SkyCargo’s total freighter fleet stood at 13 Boeing 777Fs, with 8 more units pending delivery.

In addition to 20 new aircraft deliveries during the year, Emirates also bought out 29 A380s and 5 Boeing 777s at the end of their leases. To support the fleet programme, Emirates raised AED 10 billion in aircraft financing via local and international markets, including Japanese operating leases, insurance‑backed financing, French Tax Lease and Export Credit Agency–backed structures. 

With a strong cash balance and operating cash flow, Emirates fully met all contracted obligations during 2025-26, including aircraft pre-delivery payments and financing liabilities as they become due, utilising our cash reserves which stood at AED 54.9 billion (US$ 15.0 billion) as of 31 March.

Emirates continued to deploy simple forward contracts to hedge against Brent crude oil and refining margins; and used long-term interest rate hedges to mitigate the impact of interest rate fluctuations. With significant currency exposure due to its global presence, Emirates continued to manage foreign exchange rate risk through currency options, forward contracts, and natural hedges. Its systematic approach ensures cash flow predictability against volatile market shifts, reinforcing financial stability.

Under Emirates Group companies and subsidiaries, Emirates Flight Catering (EKFC) and MMI/Emirates Leisure Retail (ELR) reported notable contributions in 2025-26.

EKFC grew revenue from external customers by 12% to AED 1.2 billion (US$ 329 million), uplifting 16.2 million meals during 2025-26 for its 100+ airline customers in Dubai, and winning catering contracts for complex, large-scale global events such as the Dubai Airshow and Dubai Rugby Sevens. 

MMI/ELR posted a revenue of AED 2.9 billion (US$ 803 million), down 5% due to a challenging market for its international business, and the rollback of the municipality tax waiver in the UAE. During the year, ELR acquired the remaining 25% stake in Air Ventures LLC, securing full ownership of the entity which operates airport retail and F&B outlets in the US. ELR & MMI also opened new locations across its F&B portfolio, expanded partnerships with homegrown brands, and strengthened its digital platforms to improve customer service and engagement.

Sustainability

The Emirates Group continued to invest resources, and work with partners to reduce its impact on the environment and grow engagement with communities.

Highlights of the Group’s environmental initiatives in 2025-26 include:

• Emirates signing an MoU with ENOC Group to explore the supply of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) at Dubai’s airports; and a joint research initiative with Dubai Air Navigation Services (DANS) and Thales to reduce arrival holding patterns, improve UAE airspace efficiency, and optimise fuel consumption.
• Emirates joining the Aviation Circularity Consortium to advance circular economy initiatives in aviation.
• Emirates Flight Catering commissioning a large-scale biodigester to reduce waste to landfill and CO₂ emissions by 2,000 tonnes annually; Alpha Catering in Sharjah redirecting used coffee grounds from its airport F&B outlets for composting; and dnata Travel partnering with sustainability platform Reloop to divert over 500kgs of food waste from landfills each month.
• The continued review and procurement of electric, hybrid, or emissions-efficient options for the Group’s massive fleet of ground equipment and road vehicles across business divisions notably - dnata’s airport and catering operations, Emirates SkyCargo and Emirates Flight Catering.
• Emirates announcing an additional AU$ 50 million investment in the luxury Emirates Wolgan Valley resort, located on a 7,000-acre conservancy in Australia’s Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage area.
• Emirates and Wimbledon partnering with 4 Wildlife Trusts in the UK to launch “Championing Nature”. This multi-year, multi-million-pound initiative aims to give disadvantaged children and youth in urban communities more access to nature.

Highlights of the Group’s community engagement initiatives in 2025-26 include:

• The Emirates Airline Foundation continuing its work with social entrepreneurs and NGOs to provide disadvantaged children with education, shelter, food and medical services. This year, the Foundation supported 13 active projects around the world and provided over 500 flight tickets for medical missions.
• Emirates expanding joint programmes with its sponsorship partners to help more underprivileged youth benefit from sports. Key initiatives this year include: the Emirates-funded Force for Good programmes in the US and Australia which unlock access to tennis for kids and young people in communities; and projects with NBA Cares to refurbish youth recreational and community learning spaces in the US.
• Numerous employee-led initiatives around the world, conducted via the dnata4good platform, to benefit charities, underprivileged individuals, and local communes. Highlights this year include: the donation of nearly 68,000kg of food in Australia to food rescue charities; the donation of a Braille embosser to help visually impaired children in India access vocational training; and the donation of beds to a project in Rome that provides shelter to migrants and homeless individuals in vulnerable situations.
• During Ramadan in the UAE, dnata raised over AED 80,000 and provided over 500 volunteers and 5,300 meals to support the Dubai Charity Association. MMI raised over AED 250,000 for Al Jalila Foundation and worked with them to distribute 15,000 meals.

More details on the Group’s environmental, social and governance initiatives can be found in the full 2025-26 Emirates Group Annual Report.

The 2025-26 Annual Report of the Emirates Group – comprising Emirates, dnata and their subsidiaries - is available at: www.theemiratesgroup.com/annualreport. 

US$ figures are converted at 1US$ = 3.67AED and are based on the AED figures rounded off in millions.

dnata will operate from a 5,000 sqm warehouse facility within WSI’s 24-hour Cargo Precinct, supported by an additional 4,000 sqm of surrounding land. The airport will deliver the site as a cold shell, with dnata undertaking a full operational fit-out of the terminal, including critical infrastructure and the installation of a semi-motorised materials handling system.

Approximately A$6 million of the investment will be allocated to specialised equipment and technology to ensure scalable, efficient and future-ready cargo operations, including capabilities to support specialised cargo such as pharmaceuticals and other time- and temperature-sensitive shipments.

Freighter operations are scheduled to commence in July 2026, ahead of the airport’s full passenger opening later this year. 

The facility will handle up to 60,000 tonnes of cargo annually at maturity, strengthening capacity in New South Wales, which plays a central role in Australia’s air freight network. 

The new operation is projected to create approximately 50 direct roles in its initial phase, with further employment opportunities anticipated as volumes grow and operations expand. In addition to direct jobs, the facility will generate broader economic benefits across freight forwarding, logistics, ground handling and associated supply chain services in Western Sydney. 

Burt Sigsworth, Managing Director of dnata Airport Operations - Australia said: “Our investment in Western Sydney International reflects strong confidence in the region’s long-term economic trajectory and the critical role air freight plays in supporting Australian trade.”

“By establishing a purpose-built cargo facility from day one, we are strengthening supply chain resilience, supporting local industry and creating skilled employment opportunities in one of the country’s fastest-growing economic corridors.”

The development of dedicated cargo infrastructure at WSI is expected to enhance efficiency for airlines, freight forwarders and integrators, improving connectivity for time-sensitive and high-value goods moving through New South Wales. 

Simon Hickey, Chief Executive Officer of WSI, said dnata was a terrific addition to the airport’s premier 24-hour Cargo Precinct and would provide cargo and ground handling services for both international and domestic airlines, boosting the nation’s critical supply chains.  

“We’re thrilled to welcome dnata Cargo to WSI’s brand-new cargo hub, bringing its top-tier services for airlines and their customers and creating more meaningful job opportunities for workers across Greater Sydney,” he said.  

“Our purpose-built 24-hour Cargo Precinct will increase Sydney’s air cargo capacity and provide dedicated access via the upgraded Northern Road with close proximity to growing freight and logistics centres at Kemps Creek and the Aerotropolis. 

“Like everything at WSI, the Cargo Precinct is built for growth, and while we’re excited to open stage one and launch operations by the end of July, it also has capacity to expand significantly over the years ahead, in line with market demands.”  

Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King welcomed dnata Cargo and said the new freight operator will connect Western Sydney to the world, allowing us to move another 60,000 tonnes of cargo through Sydney’s new airport every year.

“Western Sydney is the logistics heart of NSW, and our new airport will work hand in hand with other Australian Government investments, like the Moorebank Intermodal Terminal, to get goods off planes and across the country quickly and efficiently,” she said.

“This airport is built to grow, which will give Australian businesses the capacity and ability to grow alongside it.”

WSI’s Cargo Precinct includes warehousing and will be capable of servicing eight wide-body aircraft at any one time and will open with capacity to handle at least 220,000 tonnes of freight a year. 

The announcement builds on dnata’s earlier commitment, through its Catering & Retail division, to invest in developing an advanced inflight catering centre within WSI’s Cargo Precinct. The new facility will be capable of producing up to three million meals annually, supporting airline partners operating at Sydney’s first 24-hour airport. 

dnata’s operations in Australia 

dnata has a long-established presence in Australia, operating across nine airports nationwide, where it provides cargo, ground handling, passenger services and inflight catering. The company supports more than 107,000 aircraft movements per year, and processes around 300,000 tonnes of cargo across its Australian network. Through its catering division, dnata produces and delivers more than 54 million meals annually for airline partners. 

Employing approximately 8,000 people across Australia, dnata plays a significant role in supporting aviation connectivity, trade flows and supply chain performance in one of the Asia-Pacific region’s most dynamic markets. The investments at Western Sydney International reinforce this long-term commitment to strengthening national infrastructure and supporting sustainable industry growth.