(NEWS) MILAN, 2025-Dec-11 — /Travel PR News/ — Milan’s cargo landscape is gearing up for a major evolution as dnata confirms a €25 million investment to build a next-generation cargo facility at Milano Malpensa—an announcement that places Italy’s busiest airfreight gateway firmly on the map of future-ready logistics hubs. According to the company’s announcement, the development marks dnata’s deepest commitment yet to Italy’s cargo market and builds on a year of global infrastructure expansion that includes major automated cargo terminals in Amsterdam, Dubai, and Erbil.
Set within Malpensa’s thriving Cargo City, the new 10,000-square-metre terminal will process more than 100,000 tonnes annually and introduce high-efficiency workspace designed for today’s most demanding cargo categories—from perishables and pharmaceuticals to engines, vehicles, and dangerous goods. The project, awarded following a competitive SEA Group tender, will also generate around 200 new jobs, expanding Airport Handling’s role as Milan’s largest ground operations provider and strengthening the airport’s growing logistics ecosystem.
Sustainability is woven into every part of the new terminal. Plans include photovoltaic power generation, insulated building envelopes, low-consumption climate systems, and energy-efficient LED infrastructure. The facility will also be equipped for low-emission ground operations—mirroring dnata’s global push toward eco-efficient design and modular automation. The approach aligns with dnata’s broader investments unveiled earlier this year at the IATA World Cargo Symposium, where the company detailed more than USD 110 million investment in upcoming cargo centres across the UAE, Iraq, and the Netherlands. These next-generation terminals feature automated storage and retrieval systems, smart gates, 3D scanning, AGVs, and centralised control towers—capabilities designed to minimise manual handling and provide real-time cargo visibility.
For Milan, the impact reaches beyond infrastructure. “Our expansion into cargo is a defining investment for Airport Handling and a clear signal of our long-term commitment to Italy,” said CEO Alberto Morosi, who noted strong growth fundamentals across cross-border e-commerce, pharmaceuticals, and perishables. SEA Milan Airports echoed the sentiment, calling the project “a pivotal step” in Malpensa’s journey toward becoming one of Europe’s most sophisticated logistics hubs.
For dnata, the Milan development reinforces Europe’s importance within its global growth strategy. “We will continue to invest in advanced facilities and technologies to deliver best-in-class services across our operations,” said Clive Sauvé-Hopkins, CEO of dnata Airport Operations. In FY 2024–25, dnata handled 3.1 million tonnes of cargo worldwide—a 9% year-on-year rise, signalling robust demand for scalable, automated logistics solutions.
Scheduled to open in September 2027, the Malpensa cargo facility will elevate Airport Handling into a fully integrated provider, complementing its current management of 80,000 flights per year and recent expansion into Rome Fiumicino. For Italy’s logistics sector, it marks the beginning of a more connected, energy-efficient, and technologically advanced cargo era—one built on global expertise and local ambition.
