Germany’s Aerotelegraph and Airliners.de both reported on 04JUL25, that Emirates’ subsidiary, dnata, is pulling out of Cologne Airport at the end of this year. Despite entering the German market in 2022, when it became exclusive operator of the 12,000 m² Cologne Bonn Cargo Center (a move that was intended to serve as the heart of its business in Germany, when dnata acquired Wisskirchen Handling Services), and then gaining a 6,000 ton/year cargo handling contract with Maersk Air Freight in NOV23, it would appear that the return on investment in trying to generate growth at the airport was not given. The rental contract at the airport and dnata’s cargo business there will cease on 31DEC25, according to local reports. The airport has been officially informed of the closure. dnata confirmed these reports to German media. A company spokesperson revealed that market conditions were limiting growth potentials, and that this had been the outcome of a comprehensive business analysis which had served as the basis for dnata’s withdrawal decision.
This is unexpected news given that, by all accounts, the Emirates division is otherwise experiencing international growth, and even in Cologne, has been handling more than 85,000 tons/year, to date – for around 20 airlines. While dnata and the airport are cooperating to seek a successor for its cargo operations and it confirms that services will continue as usual until the closure, the move poses challenges. Around 90 employees are directly affected by the closure at the country’s third-largest airport. They, too, are being supported through the transition. It also throws up the question if dnata will continue to remain a member of VACAD (Air Cargo Handlers in Germany), which it joined in 2023? They otherwise lose a significant member. And it poses the question as to whether the decision of such an international player will affect other foreign investment considerations in the German air cargo sector?
