Asian – Dispatch

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the awarding of contracts for ground and cargo handling services for SriLankan Airlines at Dubai International Airport (DXB). 

Following a formal procurement process, the contracts have been awarded to Dnata, the sole service provider for these specialized operations at the Dubai hub.

The decision comes as the previous agreements for the national carrier’s operations in the United Arab Emirates approached their end dates. The Standard Ground Handling Agreement for passenger and ground services had expired on March 31, 2026, while the existing cargo handling agreement is set to conclude on June 30, 2026. To ensure uninterrupted service for the airline’s scheduled passenger and cargo flights, the Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation submitted a resolution based on the recommendations of the Bid Evaluation Committee and the Higher Level Procurement Committee.

Under the newly approved terms, Dnata will manage passenger and ground services for a three-year period effective from April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2029. This portion of the contract is valued at an estimated AED 33.04 million. The continuity of these services is considered vital for SriLankan Airlines’ presence in one of its most high-traffic international destinations.

In addition, the Cabinet cleared the contract for cargo handling services, which will also run for a three-year term starting July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2029. This agreement carries an estimated cost of AED 7.6 million. These renewals are expected to provide the national carrier with operational stability and consistent service standards at Dubai International Airport for the next three years.

Source: Daily Mirror