• dnata to oversee the operations of Zanzibar Abeid Amani Karume International Airport’s (ZNZ) newly-built international terminal in partnership with SEGAP (Egis and AIIM), Emirates Leisure Retail and Maritime and Mercantile International (MMI)
  • dnata’s expansion represents an investment of over US$ 7 million and creates 400 local jobs with the company

Zanzibar, Tanzania:- dnata, a leading global air and travel services provider, has signed a concession agreement with The Government of Zanzibar, along with Emirates Leisure Retail and SEGAP, a joint venture between airport infrastructure and operations specialists Egis, and private equity fund manager AIIM.

Under the partnership, dnata will oversee the operations of Zanzibar Abeid Amani Karume International Airport’s (ZNZ) newly-built international terminal (T3), with SEGAP supporting the Zanzibar Airports Authority (ZAA) in a management capacity. Emirates Leisure Retail will partner with MMI as master concessionaire for all food and beverage, duty free and commercial outlets at T3. 

dnata will provide its globally renowned, quality ground and passenger handling services to airline customers at ZNZ, ensuring safe and timely operations of flights and an excellent travel experience for passengers. dnata expects to handle over 4,000 flights annually at the airport. 

dnata will also invest in a state-of-the-art cargo centre to establish cargo operations at the airport, supporting local trade and businesses. The facility will comply with the highest industry standards ensuring efficient and safe handling of a broad range of cargo, including perishables, pharmaceuticals, dangerous goods, live animals, aircraft engines and vehicles.

In addition, dnata will launch 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. 

dnata’s expansion into Zanzibar represents an investment of over US$ 7 million and will create up to 400 direct local jobs with the company. 

Including this latest investment which is dnata’s first operation in Tanzania, dnata now provides quality and safe ground handling, cargo, catering and travel services in 36 countries.

Steve Allen, Executive Vice President of dnata and Chairman of Emirates Leisure Retail and MMI, said: “We are thrilled to expand our global footprint into Africa and establish operations at the airport of Zanzibar. We are confident that our investment in the local aviation industry will stimulate tourism and trade, delivering significant benefits for Zanzibar businesses and the local community.

“Our teams’ passion for excellence, broad partnership network and global experience in providing best-in-class ground handling, airport hospitality and F&B services will ensure consistent quality at every stage of the airport journey. We will deliver an innovative and fresh airport concept that provides an integrated passenger experience whilst showcasing Zanzibar’s traditions and style.

“We look forward to a fruitful partnership with the Zanzibar Airports Authority and SEGAP.”

H.E. Dr Hussein Ali Mwinyi, President of Zanzibar and Chairman of the Revolutionary Council, said: “The launch of our new terminal at the Abeid Aman Karume International Airport marks a turning point in the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar’s efforts in becoming a globally recognized island for tourism and trade. The Zanzibar Airport Authority’s partnership with dnata reaffirms our commitment to international excellence in providing a seamless experience for all international visitors. We look forward to expanding our global footprint in facilitating trade and investment via our increased handling capacity for both passenger and air cargo operations.”

Christian Laugier, CEO-Sales for Egis, commented: “We are honoured to bring our three decades of expertise in airport development, operations & maintenance to the project. Our teams will focus on performance across all areas, including infrastructure, operations, safety and security, governance and finance. Our efforts will be on making the airport and air transport more effective catalysts for tourism growth in a destination that has everything to attract visitors, from pristine beaches to a UNESCO World Heritage site. This is an important step that opens great partnership possibilities with Zanzibar, where we are prepared to consider further investment in airport infrastructure development.”

-Ends-

About dnata
dnata is one of the world’s largest air and travel services providers. Established in 1959, the company ensures the aviation industry operates smoothly and efficiently in 129 airports. Offering ground handling, cargo, travel, and flight catering services in 35 countries across six continents, dnata is a trusted partner for over 300 airline customers around the world. In the financial year 2020-21, dnata’s customer-oriented teams handled 280,000 aircraft turns, moved 2.6 million tonnes of cargo, uplifted 16 million meals, and recorded a total transaction value (TTV) of travel services of US$ 62 million.

About SEGAP
An Egis and AIIM owned company, SEGAP invests in and manages airport operation companies in Africa. It aims to develop airports by providing expertise in key areas of airport operations, aviation and ancillary services while ensuring safety and quality of service. SEGAP’s goal is to bring its airports up to the latest international standards and make air travel in Africa more efficient, accessible and affordable.

About Egis
Egis is a major international group in the construction engineering and mobility services sectors (1.07 Bn turnover in 2020, 16,000 employees). The group is dedicated to supporting energy, ecology, digital and territorial transition to shape tomorrow’s world. Through its various assignments the group operates in a wide range of domains addressing major global challenges, such as transport, buildings, water, environment, urban development and mobility services. Egis relies on a broad spectrum of disciplines, ranging from infrastructure design to operations, including consulting, turnkey delivery and project structuring. Through its dedicated airport subsidiary and its concessions, Egis is involved in the management of 17 airports in 7 countries spread over 4 continents, welcoming over 28 million passengers in 2019, handling 366,000 tonnes of freight and employing 1,500 staff.

About AIIM
African Infrastructure Investment Managers (AIIM) is the leading infrastructure private equity fund manager in Africa with a 20-year track record extending through seven African infrastructure funds with more than 56 investments across 17 countries. AIIM has USD 2.1 billion in assets under management and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Old Mutual Alternative Investments (OMAI). The pan-African team of 40 investment professionals is spread across AIIM’s offices in Cape Town, Johannesburg, Abidjan, Lagos and Nairobi.

About Emirates Leisure Retail
Emirates Leisure Retail (ELR), a subsidiary of the Emirates Group, owns and operates a diverse portfolio of restaurants, cafés and bars between across the Middle East, South East Asia, Australia and the USA. Operating over 300 outlets (including more than 90 outlets across 20 domestic and international airports) models range from franchise to own brand, and are all designed to offer a premium experience at great value. Key brands operated by ELR include Costa Coffee, Hudsons Coffee, Pret A Manger, The Kitchen by Wolfgang Puck, as well as bespoke, world first and global award winning concepts including Coopers Alehouse, Jack’s Bar & Grill, Heineken Lounge and The Draft House.

About MMI
MMI is a dynamic marketing, sales and distribution organization, established in 1916 in Dubai UAE and in 2016 saw it celebrate its centennial, a remarkable journey from humble Dubai Creekside shipping agent to one of the world’s leading independent distributors.

A passionate group committed to delivering and enjoying sustainable, profitable growth by achieving leadership through excellence in our chosen beverage categories and markets. MMI is headquartered in Dubai, UAE, with joint venture operations across Abu Dhabi, Oman, Tanzania, Zanzibar, Maldives, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Ethiopia, South Africa, Thailand and Singapore

MMI is a subsidiary of the Emirates Group. Its long-standing operation in the market has given it a unique understanding and respect for both the cultural differences and common interests in diverse markets. At every interaction with their portfolio, events and outlets they strive to bring more to the lives of their customers and consumers, through innovations such as the award-winning Le Clos, the fine wines and luxury spirits retailer.

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