News / Two airlines move operations to dnata's new Schiphol facility as problems 'stabilise'

UPDATED 4.9.25 to include Singapore Airlines note to customers.

Two airlines will tomorrow (4 September) move their import handling to dnata’s Cargo City Amsterdam as the handler gets a grip on the operational challenges it has faced. 

August was a tough month for dnata, which has been transitioning its operations to its new facility at Schiphol, but faced several hurdles. 

In the middle of last month it told customers that it was facing “significant delays due to system technical issues at Cargonaut. Because Cargonaut’s system is linked to our Nallian Truck Visit Management System, the disruption caused no message exchange between the two systems. As a result, QR-codes in Nallian were not visible after slot bookings were made.” 

The statement, sent to customers on 14 August added: “This is not an excuse, and we acknowledge that we are not yet at the point of a completely smooth operation in dnata Cargo City Amsterdam. However, we are seeing significant improvements in wait times, but there is still work ahead of us.” 

Nallian failed to respond to queries, but the work seems to have been completed, according to dnata. 

A spokesperson for dnata told The Loadstar today: “dnata is continuing the transition of its cargo operations to its new facility, dnata Cargo City Amsterdam, at Schiphol Airport. As with any major move of this scale, there were early challenges, which we addressed in close collaboration with our customers and partners. We appreciate their patience and support during this important phase. 

“Operations at the new facility are stabilising well, with improved import and export processing times and shorter truck dwell times.” 

dnata said that it was seeing “growing customer confidence in the new facility as the transition progresses”, underlined by the fact that China Cargo Airlines and China Eastern will move over their import handling on Thursday (4 September). 

Not everyone is happy: Singapore Airlines, which “temporarily” moved its import cargo from dnata to Swissport, has confirmed that it is leaving dnata. It told customers: “Effective from 8^th September 2025, all our operations in Amsterdam will be transferred to Swissport.

“After five decades of partnership with dnata, this was not a decision we reached easily.

“While we recognise the many years of cooperation, the recent challenges we have experienced underscored the need of this transition to Swissport.”

Import cargo flows have already moved, and export cargo booked on flights from 8th September should now be delivered to Swissport.

dnata declined to comment on Singapore Airlines’ decision, but admitted that it had faced other issues too. “There has been some disruption at our former site due to broader airport infrastructure works. This is entirely separate from the new facility, and we are working closely with the airport authority to minimise any impact on our customers. 

“dnata remains fully committed to bringing the new facility to full operational capacity as soon as possible and establishing it as one of the most advanced cargo hubs in the region.”