dnata will invest over €25 million to build a cargo facility at Milano Malpensa Airport through its subsidiary, Airport Handling.
The air and travel services provider announced the project, which forms part of its strategy to develop cargo infrastructure in markets with growth potential.
Airport Handling secured the development following a tender process by SEA Group, which operates Linate and Malpensa airports. The project will create 200 jobs.
Airport handling to build 10,000 square metre cargo warehouse at Milan Airport
The facility will occupy 10,000 square metres in the Cargo City area of the airport. It will handle over 100,000 tonnes annually and process perishables, pharmaceuticals, dangerous goods, live animals, aircraft engines, and vehicles.
The warehouse will include photovoltaic panels, thermal insulation, and LED lighting. The design incorporates natural light in warehouse and office spaces, with heating and cooling systems that consume minimal energy. Infrastructure for ground operations with reduced emissions will be installed.
Operations are scheduled to begin in September 2027.
“Our expansion into cargo is a defining investment for Airport Handling and a clear signal of our long-term commitment to Italy. Milan is a regional hub for aviation and trade, and we see strong fundamentals for sustained cargo growth driven by cross-border e-commerce, pharmaceuticals, and perishables. Our extensive experience in ramp and passenger services provides a solid operational foundation – adding cargo services to our portfolio is a natural evolution,” Alberto Morosi, CEO of Airport Handling said in a statement.
“We anticipate this investment will energise the local logistics ecosystem, delivering meaningful benefits to businesses and communities. We thank the SEA Group for their trust and look forward to setting new standards in Italy,” he added.
“Europe remains a cornerstone of our global expansion strategy, and this project allows us to build future-ready cargo capacity in a high-potential market. We will continue to invest in advanced infrastructure and technologies to deliver best-in-class services across our operations,” Clive Sauvé-Hopkins, CEO of dnata Airport Operations further explained.
“We are proud to announce this important project. This milestone marks a pivotal step in the continued evolution of Malpensa Cargo City, reinforcing its role as a strategic logistics hub in Europe. Partnering with dnata, a global leader in air services, reflects our commitment to excellence and innovation in cargo infrastructure. This collaboration will not only enhance operational capabilities but also generate significant value for the local economy and the broader logistics ecosystem,” Francesco Raschi, Director of Cargo and Real Estate at SEA Milan Airports continued.
Airport Handling provides ramp and passenger handling services to over 60 airlines. The company manages 80,000 flights annually across Milan’s two airports and has expanded operations to Rome’s Fiumicino Airport.
The cargo facility will enable Airport Handling to offer integrated ground services in Milan.
dnata provides ground handling and cargo services at more than 90 airports across 16 countries. In the 2024–25 financial year, dnata handled 3.1 million tonnes of cargo, a 9 per cent increase year-over-year.
