Dubai-based international airport services provider Dnata is to acquire two of the UK’s leading ground handling operations. The first company is Plane Handling Ltd, currently part of the Go-Ahead Group plc, which provides cargo and ramp handling services at London Heathrow and cargo handling services at Manchester airport.

Dnata’s second acquisition invovles the passenger and ramp handling operations at Terminals 3 and 4 at London Heathrow from Aviance, which is also part of the Go-Ahead Group.

The total value of the acquisitions is £15 million (US$24.4 million) and the move marks Dnata’s entry into the airport handling business in the UK as part of its strategy of developing an international ground services network. With the new UK acquisitions, it will have operations in eight countries — Australia, China, Pakistan, the Philippines, SingaporeSwitzerland, as well as the UAE.

According to Gary Chapman, Dnata president, the UK businesses will be a “perfect fit” for the company’s businesses in Dubai, Singapore, Switzerland, Australia and at other points across the globe. “Dnata is committed to further developing the strengths of Plane Handling and ensuring that its airline customers continue to enjoy the highest possible levels of customer service.”

Plane Handling and Aviance’s Terminal 3 and 4 operations provide airline and cargo handling for more than 20 airlines at London Heathrow and Manchester, with key customers including Virgin Atlantic Airways, Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, Etihad Airways, Qantas, Air New Zealand and Emirates.

The combined businesses employ around 1,600 staff across the two airports and offer the full range of handling activities, including baggage, cargo, ramp, load control, passenger servicesand communications.