Dnata acquires two ground handling operations in UK

"These acquisitions, which are valued at $25.05 million, mark Dnata's entry into the airport handling business in the UK," it said in a statement.

The transaction will be completed on January 30, it said.

The group is buying Plane Handling Ltd, part of the Go-Ahead Group, and passenger and ramp handling operations at Terminal 3 and 4 at London Heathrow Airport from Aviance Ltd, also part Go-Ahead.

Gary Chapman, President, Dnata, said: "We are very pleased to add Heathrow and Manchester to our growing international network. These businesses already provide an outstanding quality of service to their airline customers in the UK and will be a perfect fit with our businesses in Dubai, Singapore, Switzerland, Australia and at other points across the globe.”

With these acquisitions, Dnata will now be operating at 19 airports in eight countries, including Australia, China, Pakistan, the Philippines, Singapore, Switzerland as well as the UAE.