Taken in partnership with Dubai Airports and the Emirates National Oil Company Group (ENOC), the step is projected to cut CO₂ equivalent emissions by over 3,500 tonnes annually over the lifecycle of the fuel consumed by dnata’s fleet.
The initiative has been gradually rolled out across dnata’s ground handling and cargo operations at the two Dubai airports, Dubai International (DXB) and Al Maktoum - Dubai World Central (DWC). It involves a total of 2,500 vehicles, which support the operations of over 220,000 flights annually.
dnata has been using a blend of biodiesel across its landside fleets at dnata logistics, City Sightseeing Tours, Arabian Adventures, and Alpha Flight Services in the UAE since last summer.
Steve Allen, CEO of dnata Group, said: “Our latest initiative to switch all our non-electric airside vehicles to biodiesel in Dubai is a big step forward in our decarbonisation journey. It demonstrates our dedication to cutting emissions, a core part of our environmental strategy, while maintaining the highest level of quality and safety across our operations.
“This achievement wouldn’t be possible without the strong collaboration with Dubai Airports and ENOC, who share our commitment to contributing to the UAE Government’s Net Zero 2050 strategic initiative. We look forward to continuing our partnership to further reduce our environmental footprint and make a positive impact on the aviation industry.”
His sentiments were echoed by Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, who said: “Sustainability in aviation requires everyone to pitch in, and as the airport operator, we're committed to driving change. Our partnership with dnata and ENOC to introduce biodiesel highlights how collaboration can lead to real progress. While sector-wide solutions are crucial, airports must also score quick wins on the ground.
This shift will benefit all operators of vehicles and equipment operating airside by replacing traditional diesel with a cleaner alternative. Given the significant size of dnata’s fleet both at DXB and DWC, we know this project is vital for a broader sustainable ground support equipment (GSE) strategy, and we're proud to contribute to reducing dnata’s emissions and setting a new standard for the aviation industry.”
