Dnata bags UL’s Rs. 3.5 b Dubai ground handling deal

Dubai-based Dnata Airport Services Ltd., has won the contract to provide ground handling services (passenger, ground handling and cargo handling) to SriLankan Airlines in Dubai International Airport for three years.

The Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal by Ports and Civil Aviation Minister Anura Karunathilake to award over 40 million AED (Rs. 3.5 billion) contracts after bids were called from registered suppliers for the long-term agreement of ground handling for three years.

SriLankan Airlines Ltd., currently operates scheduled passenger and cargo flights to Dubai International Airport. The Standard Ground Handling Agreement entered between SriLankan Airlines Ltd., and Dnata Company, the sole service provider of such services at Dubai International Airport, for passenger handling and supplying ground services expired on 31 March 2026. The Standard Agreement for cargo handling services between SriLankan Airlines Ltd., and Dnata Company is due to expire on 30 June 2026.

“Based on the recommendations of the Bid Evaluation Committee and the Higher Level Procurement Committee, the Cabinet of Ministers to award the contract for passenger and ground services handling of SriLankan Airlines Ltd., at Dubai International Airport to Dnata Company for a period of three years from 01 April 2026 to 31 March 2029, at an estimated cost of AED 33.04 million and to award the contract for cargo handling services of SriLankan Airlines Ltd., for a period of three years from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2029, at an estimated cost of AED 7.6 million,” Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said at the weekly post-Cabinet meeting media briefing yesterday.

Source: Daily FT