dnata Invests €25m in New Milano Malpensa Cargo Facility

dnata is investing €25 million in a new cargo facility at Milano Malpensa Airport as part of its broader strategy to develop high-performance cargo infrastructure in markets with strong long-term growth potential.

The project follows a competitive tender process conducted by SEA Group, the operator of Milan’s Linate and Malpensa airports. The expansion will create approximately 200 new local jobs and further strengthen Airport Handling’s position as Italy’s leading ground services provider.

Located in the airport’s Cargo City area, the facility will cover 10,000 square meters and is designed to handle more than 100,000 tonnes of cargo annually. It will support a wide range of cargo types, including perishables, pharmaceuticals, dangerous goods, live animals, aircraft engines, and vehicles, while meeting the highest industry standards for safety and efficiency.

The development is aligned with dnata’s global sustainability strategy and will incorporate energy-efficient solutions such as photovoltaic panels, advanced thermal insulation, and high-efficiency LED lighting. The warehouse and office spaces are designed to maximize natural light and will be supported by low-consumption heating and cooling systems. Infrastructure will also be installed to enable low-emission ground operations.

The new cargo facility is scheduled to become operational in September 2027.

Alberto Morosi, CEO of Airport Handling, said the investment represents a major step in the company’s long-term commitment to Italy and its expansion into cargo services. He noted that Milan’s role as a regional aviation and trade hub, combined with growth in cross-border e-commerce, pharmaceuticals, and perishables, makes cargo a natural extension of Airport Handling’s existing ramp and passenger operations.

Clive Sauvé-Hopkins, CEO of dnata Airport Operations, said Europe remains central to dnata’s global expansion strategy and described the Malpensa project as an opportunity to build future-ready cargo capacity in a high-potential market.

Francesco Raschi, Director of Cargo and Real Estate at SEA Milan Airports, said the project marks an important milestone in the evolution of Malpensa Cargo City and reinforces its position as a strategic logistics hub in Europe. He added that partnering with dnata reflects SEA’s focus on innovation, operational excellence, and long-term value creation for the local logistics ecosystem.

With the addition of cargo services, Airport Handling will become a fully integrated ground services provider in Milan. The company currently supports more than 60 airlines with ramp and passenger handling, managing approximately 80,000 flights annually across Milan’s two airports, and has recently expanded operations to Rome Fiumicino Airport.

dnata provides ground handling and cargo services at more than 90 airports across 16 countries. In the 2024–25 financial year, dnata handled 3.1 million tonnes of cargo globally, representing a 9% year-over-year increase.