UAE’s dnata invests $10m in Zanzibar, launches operations at ZNZ

Global air and travel services provider dnata launched its operations at Zanzibar Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ).

Also present at the launch were its partners Emirates Leisure Retail and SEGAP, a joint venture between airport infrastructure and operations specialists Egis, and private equity fund manager AIIM (African Infrastructure Investment Managers).

The three companies will work closely together to deliver services for airlines and passengers at the newly-built international terminal (T3) of ZNZ.

The investment of dnata, Emirates Leisure Retail and SEGAP represent over $10m and, to date, has created some 500 local jobs with the companies.

dnata will provide its ground, passenger and cargo handling services to airline customers at ZNZ.

dnata, a global air and travel services provider, launched operations at Zanzibar's Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ) with partners Emirates Leisure Retail and SEGAP (a joint venture between Egis and AIIM).https://t.co/FYK3hgTEwo pic.twitter.com/lnCLrH2085

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) January 26, 2023

Meet & greet and lounge services are available

In addition, dnata launched meet & greet and lounge services through its airport hospitality brand, marhaba, to help passengers further enhance their experience and enjoy a smooth airport journey from check-in to boarding.

Emirates Leisure Retail has partnered with MMI as a master concessionaire for all food and beverage, duty free and commercial outlets at T3.

In collaboration with Eight Inc, the companies have created an innovative and immersive travel experience called Zoma.

In the ZOMA Zones each store is inspired by the scents, feelings, and flavours of the island. In addition to these outlets, ELR and MMI carefully selected and curated the best retailers from the island to spotlight some of the best that Zanzibar offers.

SEGAP entered into a 10-year technical partnership with Zanzibar Airports Authority (ZAA) to manage and operate Zanzibar and Pemba airports.

The consortium will act as a long-term partner to help position Zanzibar as a leading tourism destination, improve airport performance across all fields (including passenger experience, operation, profitability, etc.) and enhance airport infrastructure and services. The consortium will act as one project team for ZAA, covering different airport management and operation aspects.

Steve Allen, CEO of dnata Group and chairman of Emirates Leisure Retail and MMI, said: “We’re delighted to celebrate the launch of our airport services and retail offering with our partners at Zanzibar’s new, advanced airport terminal.

“We are confident that our investment, alongside our commitment to safety, quality and service excellence, will provide a major positive impact on Zanzibar’s transport, tourism and trade industries. This in turn will deliver significant benefits for the local community and businesses.”

Local talent

Olivier Baric, Egis Aviation Director for Africa, said: “We are delighted to continue our key role in ZAA’s strategic development in cooperation with the airport’s stakeholders, after a successful year of cooperation, where we have contributed to operational improvements to support the growth of tourism in Zanzibar.”

To establish operations, dnata has hired and trained over 340 local talent and deployed a fleet of more than 120 pieces of ground support equipment at ZNZ. The company will gradually expand its operations and team, and by 2024 expects to handle more than 4,000 flights annually with a team of over 400 aviation professionals at the airport.

dnata is also investing in a state-of-the-art facility to offer cargo services at the airport, supporting local trade and businesses.

The cargo centre, which is scheduled for completion in 2024, will handle a broad range of cargo, including perishables, pharmaceuticals, dangerous goods, live animals, aircraft engines and vehicles.

The dnata group has been contributing to Zanzibar’s tourism sector through its global travel businesses for decades. In 2022 dnata Travel facilitated flights, hotel bookings and holiday packages for thousands of travellers to Zanzibar.

SEGAP will provide general airport management and operation services to ZAA, including improving operational and financial performance, development of airport assets, increasing passenger and cargo traffic, airline route development, best practice, and compliance with international standards. SEGAP has also seconded a number of key experts into the airport – including three managers – to work closely with the ZAA teams and facilitate organisational improvements and knowledge transfer.

ZAA also benefits from access to Egis’ network of 20 airports across the globe, for knowledge and best-practice sharing across many airport management aspects, and databases for operational performance and benchmarking.