With air freight volumes at Zurich Airport remaining robust, dnata will expand its cargo operations through a new, purpose-built facility at the airport, designed to support long-term growth, improve operational efficiency and further enhance service reliability for customers and partners in Switzerland.
dnata handled 56,000 tonnes of cargo in 2025, up nearly 4% year on year, reflecting sustained demand for quality cargo services and the need for expanded infrastructure at Zurich Airport.
A long-term investment in Zurich
Construction of the new dnata Cargo Centre is well advanced and forms part of dnata’s long-term investment in its Zurich operations. The facility is scheduled to open in early 2027.
Once operational, dnata’s annual cargo handling capacity in Zurich will increase by 50%, from 60,000 to 90,000 tonnes, marking a significant expansion of its operational capabilities at the airport.
The facility will include 8,330 square metres of warehouse space, of which 7,580 square metres will be dedicated to indoor cargo handling, complemented by 4,600 metres of covered outdoor handling areas. It will replace the existing Fracht West warehouse, originally built in the 1960s, which has reached the limits of its operational and expansion potential.
The new facility is being developed by Zurich Airport. Alongside the airport’s investment of more than CHF 40 million in the building infrastructure, dnata is committing approximately CHF 6 million to equip the site, including the installation of its modern ULD material handling system. The development supports rising demand across both general cargo and specialised products, including pharmaceuticals.
“The new dnata Cargo Centre represents a significant long-term investment in our operations at Zurich Airport,” said Willy Ruf, Managing Director, dnata Switzerland.
“Cargo operations at Zurich have evolved significantly over the past decade, with higher volumes, tighter turnaround expectations and a growing share of specialised shipments. This new facility allows us to rethink how cargo flows through the airport, from landside access to warehouse handling, in a way that better reflects how the market actually operates today.”
Designed for efficiency, safety and specialised cargo
The new facility has been developed with efficiency, safety and scalability at its core. Its layout will support streamlined cargo flows through two truck docks for ULD handling and 18 dock levellers, improving landside access and turnaround times, while increased storage capacity will allow dnata to manage higher volumes more effectively.
A dedicated 1,000-square-metre pharmaceutical handling area will support GDP-compliant operations, including temperature-controlled zones for both 2–8°C and 15–25°C cargo. An advanced ULD material handling system will streamline cargo flows, improve throughput and enhance operational control, while modern office spaces will enable closer collaboration between operational and administrative teams.
A phased transition with service continuity at the core
The move to the new cargo centre is being carefully managed through a phased approach to ensure continuity of service throughout the relocation period. Early access to the site will enable the development installation of specialised infrastructure in all handling areas, followed by the progressive handover of the warehouse and office spaces and the staged relocation of teams, ahead of the full transfer of cargo-handling activities from the existing Fracht West facility.
Strengthening dnata’s global cargo infrastructure
The Zurich expansion is part of dnata’s broader investment in cargo infrastructure across its global network. Recent milestones include the opening of its new cargo centre in Amsterdam, with further facility developments underway in Milan, Dubai and Erbil. These projects reflect dnata’s continued focus on building scalable, future-ready cargo operations in key logistics markets worldwide.
dnata in Switzerland
dnata maintains a strong operational presence in Switzerland, with ground handling and cargo activities at Zurich Airport (ZRH) and Geneva Airport (GVA). Across these locations, the company supports more than 40 airline customers and employs approximately 1,300 people.
Globally, dnata delivers reliable and safe ground handling and cargo services at more than 90 airports across 16 countries. In the financial year 2024-25, dnata’s customer-oriented teams handled over 794,000 aircraft turns and moved 3.1 million tonnes of cargo.
