dnata continues to ensure a safe and smooth journey for animals in Amsterdam
Brussels Airport : DNATA ACIC
(IN SHORT) dnata is set to open a new 2,380m² animal handling centre at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport this summer, raising the bar for animal care in the cargo industry. The facility, built with animal wellbeing in mind, includes separate holding areas, quiet zones, and an on-site vet. With the global demand for live animal transport increasing, this new centre will meet the growing need for high-quality animal care. It complements dnata’s existing operations in the Benelux region and is part of the dnata Cargo City Amsterdam complex, which opens in July and will be one of the most advanced cargo hubs globally.
(PRESS RELEASE) AMSTERDAM, 2025-May-16 — /Travel PR News/ — dnata, a leading global provider of air and travel services, is set to open a dedicated animal handling centre at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS) this summer. Located within the dnata Cargo City Amsterdam complex, the purpose-built facility promises to set a new standard for animal care in the cargo industry across Europe.
Spanning 2,380m², this fully temperature-controlled centre is specifically designed to accommodate a wide variety of animals in a safe, calm, and comfortable environment. The facility will feature separate holding areas, quiet zones, adjustable lighting, and an on-site vet to provide continuous care throughout the animal’s stay. Additionally, it will offer stables for over 70 horses, all supported by strict biosecurity protocols to ensure the highest standards of safety and health.
This new centre has been built to meet the highest global standards, including IATA’s Centre of Excellence for Independent Validators (CEIV) Live Animals certification. dnata’s animal handling team is rigorously trained and regularly updated on IATA’s Live Animals Regulations (LAR), which are considered the industry benchmark for humane and compliant animal transport.
The launch of this state-of-the-art centre comes in response to the increasing global demand for high-quality animal transport. In 2024, over 200,000 live animal shipments were recorded worldwide, marking an 11% growth since 2019. In Amsterdam alone, dnata handled 22,500 animal shipments last year.
Jan van Anrooy, Managing Director of dnata Netherlands, commented, “Our new animal handling centre is built with animal wellbeing at the forefront. Every aspect, from tranquil surroundings to expert care, is designed to ensure a safe and comfortable journey for animals. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with partners to elevate the standards of live animal logistics in Amsterdam and beyond.”
This new facility is a significant addition to dnata’s portfolio, complementing its existing 2,000m² Animal Care & Inspection Centre at Brussels Airport. It reinforces dnata’s leadership in specialist cargo handling across the Benelux region.
The animal handling centre will be part of dnata Cargo City Amsterdam, one of the world’s largest and most advanced cargo hubs, set to open in July. The 61,000m² facility will be fully automated and capable of processing over 850,000 tonnes of cargo annually, including pharmaceuticals, perishables, dangerous goods, aircraft engines, and vehicles.
dnata currently provides ground handling and cargo services to 25 airlines at Amsterdam Schiphol, handling over 550,000 tonnes of cargo annually with a team of more than 1,000 highly trained professionals.
Media contact:
dnata Public Relations
public.relations@dnata.com
SOURCE: dnata
