For the sixth time, dnata, a leading air travels service provider, was named the Ground Handling Provider of the Year at the Aviation Business Awards in Dubai last night.

The accolade comes just weeks after dnata helped Dubai Airports open Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International airport for passenger service.

The award was accepted by Ismail Ali Albanna, executive vice president of dnata’s airport operations at a gala dinner at the Westin Hotel.

“This award is a testament to the hard work of the dnata airport operations team,” said Albanna. “Each day our team handles every aircraft and passenger that comes in and out of Dubai Airports—most days that work is done quietly, but awards like this are a great reminder our efforts are noticed.”

Each year dnata safely manages every passenger and cargo aircraft coming in to and leaving Dubai, translating to more than 360,000 aircraft movements and more than 65,000,000 passengers a year at Dubai International airport. With the opening of Al Maktoum International at Dubai World Central, dnata is prepared to deliver the same efficient and safe ground handling services to the world’s largest airport.

Dnata’s ground handling teams have played a pivotal role supporting the development of Dubai as an aviation leader, working alongside Dubai International airport since services commenced in 1959. Dnata has grown from a team of five to more than 13,000 at Dubai International and Al Maktoum International at Dubai World Central airports.

The Aviation Business Awards are organised by ITP - the publisher of Aviation Business magazine and ArabianSupplyChain.com - with the aim of honouring leadership and innovation in the regional aviation industry.

A panel of five judges determined the winners on the basis of a blind voting system. The win is the sixth time for dnata, with previous accolades in this category in 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011 and 2012. – TradeArabia News Service