dnata will be investing over €200 million for a fully automated cargo centre at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS), which is scheduled to start operations in 2024.

Describing it as one of the largest and most advanced facilities of its kind, dnata said the 61,000-sqm facility, with 19,000 sqm of warehouse space, will be equipped with unique technologies from Lödige Industries. These include two separate automated storage and retrieval systems (ASRS) for import and export with 12 stacker cranes, which can accommodate up to 2,500 pallets.

Separate storage for ULDs will be serviced by four elevating transport vehicles (ETV), including automated guided vehicles (AGV) to enable ULD transport within the terminal.

Other automated features in the terminal include smart gates, which can record the volume and weight of incoming consignments by scanning them in 3D.

Once operational, dnata expects the Cargo City Amsterdam to be capable of processing over 850,000 tonnes each year and comply with the highest industry standards for any type of cargo, including perishables, pharmaceuticals, dangerous goods, mail, live animals, aircraft engines and vehicles.

The air side services provider, with 29 airline customers at AMS, has been expanding its footprint in Europe with the opening of a cargo facility in Manchester and expanded capacity and infrastructure in Brussels. The company is set to open the second phase of the dnata City East project at London Heathrow this March.