dnata has opened a centralised screening control room at its Dubai International Airport (DXB) cargo facility in partnership with Dubai Police. The project forms part of the company’s digital transformation of air cargo operations.
Dubai Police officers can now operate and monitor six X-ray screening machines remotely from a single command centre. Each machine is connected to One Cargo, dnata’s digital cargo management system that automates business and operational functions.
“This project is a milestone in dnata’s journey towards smarter, more efficient cargo handling. Through close collaboration with Dubai Police, we’ve introduced a model that strengthens security, boosts efficiency, and reflects Dubai’s commitment to innovation,” Guillaume Crozier, dnata’s Chief Cargo Officer said in a statement.
dnata processes record 1 million tonnes of cargo as centralised screening room opens at DXB
The previous system involved screening at multiple warehouse locations, which required higher resource use and reduced efficiency. The centralised approach consolidates all processes into one hub, reducing screening time and improving throughput by around 3 per cent annually.
dnata serves more than 120 airline customers and handles on average 60,000 tonnes of cargo monthly at its DXB facility. The company announced earlier this year that it processed more than 1 million tonnes of cargo between April 2024 and March 2025, the highest volume ever handled in a year across its DXB and DWC operations. This represents year-on-year growth of around 30 per cent.
The growth reflects Dubai’s logistics expansion, driven by e-commerce, the region’s consumer population and Dubai’s position as a transit hub.
New system at Dubai International Airport reduces manual processes
The system reduces manual touchpoints, enables analytics and helps optimise resource use, lowering cargo movement and fuel consumption inside the facility.
The control room was jointly designed by dnata and Dubai Police to support both primary and secondary command functions. It is equipped with monitoring interfaces, live imaging and reporting tools that ensure traceability across every stage of the screening process.
“Dubai’s success as a global hub comes from a shared commitment between public and private partners. This collaboration with Dubai Police reflects that spirit – leveraging technology and trust to create a strong cargo ecosystem that keeps the city’s trade moving efficiently,” Crozier added.
dnata, Dubai Police digital screening hub marks cargo transformation at DXB
The control room forms part of dnata’s programme to transform cargo operations through data, automation and design thinking.
Across its Dubai facilities, the company is exploring autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) that can move shipments across the warehouse floor, reducing forklift movements and improving space utilisation.
dnata is testing automated dimensioning and load-optimisation tools that use sensors and algorithms to capture the size and weight of every shipment. This allows teams to maximise space inside Unit Load Devices (ULDs), cut waste and plan cargo flows.
“Behind every piece of technology we adopt are the people who make it work,” said Crozier. “Our teams on the ground are the driving force behind this transformation – using new tools to move cargo more securely and intelligently than ever before.”
