AIRPORT-services provider dnata Singapore has broken ground on the site of its S$17 million maintenance base at Changi Airport, which will enable it to triple its capacity for its repairs and maintenance activities.
With the aid of new equipment and technology, dnata will boost its handling capacity beyond 9,000 repairs and maintenance activities per year as it eyes future growth in line with the upcoming Terminals 4 and 5. Its existing facility, which was launched in 1981, can handle 3,000 maintenance and repairs activities annually.
The 6,900 sq m maintenance base, slated for completion by the first quarter of 2017, will be sited next to the dnata Cargo Centre within the Changi Airfreight Centre.
Mark Edwards, chief executive of dnata Singapore, said: “We need to be prepared for the future today and we are taking this opportunity to expand the maintenance base infrastructure.
“The maintenance base is an important facility to keep our fleet of ground-service equipment (GSE) operating smoothly and efficiently, so that our teams can rely on the GSE to deliver the service we promise to our airline customers.”
dnata Singapore’s current fleet of over 320 motorised and 1,200 non-motorised pieces of GSE will be serviced at the new maintenance base.
Mr Edwards added: “As our reliance and usage of the GSE increase, the demand for repair and maintenance of the GSE will also go up. I want to be sure that the maintenance team is ready and prepared for this increased demand.”
Meanwhile, new technology will be introduced to boost the efficiency of its staff. These include underground diesel tanks with dispensing pumps, high overhead cranes with bigger capacity and a dumb waiter lift for spare-parts movement to maximise storage space, as well as a centralised oil-dispensing and collecting system.
The Middle-East headquartered airport-services provider also plans to adopt green technology and equipment, starting with fast-charging bays for electric tractors at the new maintenance facility.
dnata offers services such as ground and cargo handling, travel, technology solutions and in-flight catering.
In Singapore, it employs 1,800 staff and provides passenger and ramp handling, flight catering, cargo handling and security services to more than 40 international airlines.
nishar@sph.com.sg
This article was first published on March 31, 2016.
Get The Business Times for more stories.
