dnata handled 82 million bags at DXB in 2022, here’s how…

The company handles luggage for over 100 airlines and millions of passengers travelling to 253 destinations from Dubai International Airport

by Neesha Salian

March 19, 2023

dnata handles over 82million bag sat DXB in 2022

dnata, the Dubai-based global air and travel services provider ,has said it handled over 82 million bags through all three terminals at Dubai International airport (DXB) in 2022.

The company handles luggage for over 100 airlines and millions of passengers travelling to 253 destinations from DXB.

During peak time operations, more than 1,300 dnata staff collaborate to deliver baggage on schedule.

dnata’s operation deconstructed

Here’s what’s in play after passengers drop off their bags at the counter.

While passengers make their way through any of DXB’s three terminals, dnata’s operation is taking place up to five floors below.
DXB’s Baggage Handling System (BHS) transports luggage using conveyor belts and lifts that move both departing and arriving bags.
Under the concourse floors of Terminal 3 alone, 160 kilometres of baggage tracks spiral around. The process to guide a bag to its destination begins 180 minutes before the scheduled time of departure.
Any bags checked in prior to this are held in T3’s automated ‘Early Bag Storage’ facility, with a capacity of 15,000. The departing bag, transported on its distinctive yellow tray linked to the bag’s luggage tag for accurate tracking, will be security screened up to five times as it makes its way through the system.
It then progresses to its awaiting container, or Unit Loading Device (ULD), before being transported onto the aircraft.
As they move through the BHS at up to 2.5 metres per second, the bags then enter a safe, high-speed transfer tunnel, shooting along at 7.5m/s, faster than the passenger trains in the adjacent tunnel.

For transiting passengers…

As Dubai is a global hub, many passengers and bags are in transit to their final destination. Of all passengers arriving at DXB Terminal 3 in 2022, 64 per cent were transiting, while at Terminal 2 transit traffic accounted for 45 per cent of all passengers.

Preparation for the transfer of bags to their destination, begins mid-flight.

By six hours before the flight’s arrival at DXB, dnata will be ready to accept the bags, knowing how many on each aircraft it needs to transfer, as well as the size, weight and final destination of each one.

What did 2022 mean to you?
Here at #DXB, it was the year that we welcomed over 66 million guests with smooth journeys and exciting experiences, connecting you to the world ✈️🌎

Learn more and find out what’s in store for 2023: https://t.co/976KlVbTJ2 #DubaiAirports pic.twitter.com/GIvpCfXD3g

— DXB (@DXB) February 22, 2023

Meticulous planning

The unit load device’s (ULD) position on each aircraft also needs to be carefully planned, based on where the bags are headed and their priority level. For instance, many airlines expect bags of their First Class customers to be given top priority, and bags earmarked for transfer also need to be handled immediately and efficiently.

That process can be complicated by baggage that cannot enter the main system, due to being oversized or unusual.

Items such as televisions, sports equipment, child’s car seats, and even holy water require manual handling, and these odd-sized items account for about 5 per cent of total baggage.

The whole operation is carefully monitored and managed by the BHS Control Room, located below the T3 Arrivals Baggage Hall. Here, a giant digital screen projects the entire colour-coded Baggage Handling System, alongside CCTV footage, with operators keeping a close eye around the clock on various portions of the operation.

Seamless operations

Jaffar Dawood, dnata’s SVP for UAE Airport Operations, said: “dnata is proud to serve the millions of passengers who pass through the world’s largest airport.

“dnata ensures that passengers travel with the confidence that their luggage will be handled efficiently and safely, and will meet them at their destination.

“This is made possible by the intricate logistical planning by our teams, and the handling by baggage personnel every hour of each day. This keeps flights moving on time and passengers and cargo arriving on schedule.”

dnata offers ground handling, cargo, travel and catering and retail services at over 130 airports in more than 30 countries across six continents.

In recent news, Dubai South, the emirate’s global commercial and residential hub, partnered with dnata to introduce a digitally driven ‘Gate Control’ mechanism for processing shipments at the cargo handling terminals at Dubai South’s facilities, with the aim to complete the process in less than a minute.

Read: Dubai South, dnata to enable enhanced connectivity at cargo handling terminals

Companies based at Dubai South’s Logistics District freezone and mainland, as well as movers who transport goods to other ports, will benefit from this partnership, said the company in a statement.