Dnata hopes to finalise Asian acquisition

The Emirates subsidiary in talks to buy travel company in Asia before end of financial year

Emirates Group subsidiary dnata is optimistic about finalising the acquisition of an unnamed Asian travel company before the end of its financial year on March 31, 2016, dnata President Gary Chapman said yesterday.

Chapman confirmed to reporters at Emirates headquarters in Dubai the talks were still ongoing and for the first time revealed the acquisition will see dnata increase its presence in 16 Asian countries. On August 13, Chapman told

Gulf News that dnata was planning a series of acquisitions in 2015, including a travel company in East Asia.

He declined to provide further details other than saying the company is not in China. Since then, dnata, Emirates Group’s airport handling and travel services subsidiary, has acquired stakes in Italian and Brazilian ground handling companies.

But Chapman offered the reason why talks in Asia haven’t closed yet. “The business we’re looking at operates in 16 countries. You can imagine how complex that is, 16 different jurisdictions, 16 different governments 16 different laws, so it takes time to wade your way through that and make sure you’ve done it right,” he said.

Asked if the acquisition can be closed before the end of the financial year, Chapman said, “I hope so.”

Cargo handling

Dnata is also looking to acquire more airport ground and cargo handling units but the company is not interested in a catering acquisition.

“In the catering its already consolidated; there’s not so many opportunities so we’re looking at ground handling, cargo handling,” Chapman said.

In July, it acquired Aviapartner’s cargo handling operations at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport.

Dnata could be expanding its portfolio with at least one more acquisition before December 31. “We are looking at a few others,” Chapman said.

“Watch this space. Calendar year, we’ve got a few weeks left so yeah we might come up with something,” he said.