dnata, a global leader in air and travel services, is enhancing its commitment to sustainability by transitioning its fleet of 70 Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) at London Heathrow Airport (LHR) to Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO), a renewable fuel alternative to diesel. This initiative is expected to reduce the carbon footprint of dnata’s HGV operations by 77%, resulting in a reduction of over 2,400 tonnes of CO2e emissions annually—equivalent to the emissions from more than 530 petrol-powered cars over one year.
This move is part of dnata’s broader strategy to cut its carbon emissions by 50% by 2030. Managing Director Alex Doisneau stated, “Our organization is dedicated to fostering meaningful advances in environmental efficiency,” highlighting the importance of integrating biofuels like HVO into their operations.
In addition to the HGV upgrade, dnata has invested in state-of-the-art cargo centers in Manchester and London, featuring solar PV panels, air-source heat pumps, and electric vehicle charging stations. The company is also expanding its use of biofuels beyond the UK, with initiatives in Australia, the Netherlands, and the UAE. In the UAE, dnata has successfully transitioned its entire non-electric fleet to biodiesel.
Moreover, dnata’s strategy includes phasing out diesel engines in favor of hybrid, electric, or hydrogen options, contingent on airport infrastructure. Currently, 65% of dnata’s fleet in the Netherlands is electric, with substantial figures in Italy (44%), the UK (40%), and Switzerland (39%).
A recent environmental performance report for 2023-24 revealed significant improvements, including an over 8% reduction in carbon intensity across airport operations, with even larger reductions of 22% in travel services and 26% in catering. These achievements have been verified by Verifavia, underscoring dnata’s commitment to enhancing its environmental impact.
