Global air and travel services provider, dnata announced that it has allocated AED 175 million (c. EUR 42.4 million) to the procurement of new ground support equipment (GSE) in the UAE, since the beginning of 2026, so as to position itself for continued growth in Dubai’s aviation sector. Over 340 new assets both related to fleet renewal and new capacity have been procured, adding to/replacing parts of its current fleet of around 2,800 motorized GSE assets at Dubai International (DXB) and Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International (DWC).
The investment initiative centers around safety and operational resilience. New aircraft loaders feature safer working-at-height systems, while AI-enabled detection cameras located underneath the loading platforms, give operators visibility of areas that are otherwise hard to monitor, helping to flag hazards early. dnata is also expanding its pushback and towing fleet, a critical element of aircraft turnaround, to ensure equipment availability and reliable aircraft movements. Its fleet planning reflects changing operational demands, aircraft types and fleet mix, and the new equipment has been chosen to improve safety, reliability and long-term performance.
Technology also plays a growing role. dnata is invested in automated aircraft docking systems and using 3D printing to produce selected GSE components, with the aim of enhancing how equipment is operated, maintained and kept in service. It will be showcasing some of these innovations at the Airport Show 2026.
Nabil Sultan Al Murr, Group Chief Executive Officer, dnata, stated: “Dubai’s aviation sector is entering another major phase of growth, and we are investing with the future operation in mind. Ground equipment has long procurement and delivery cycles, so fleet planning needs to stay several years ahead of demand. We are using this investment to strengthen the fundamentals of the operation: renewing assets at the right point in their lifecycle, adding capacity where we see sustained growth, and improving resilience in areas that are critical to aircraft turnaround. At the same time, we are raising the standard of the fleet through better safety features and technology. As DWC takes on a larger role in Dubai’s aviation system, that long-term approach to fleet planning becomes even more important.”
