Dubai-based firm Dnata’s ground handling teams at London’s Heathrow airport are now providing passenger services for three daily flights for Air India.
Air India operates three flights daily using Boeing 777 aircraft, from Heathrow to Mumbai and Delhi.
Under the new contract, Dnata is now providing passenger services to the airline, which include checking in passengers, operation of Air India’s ticket counter and Maharaja VIP Lounge and lost luggage staff to assist with queries in the arrivals hall as well as a range of special services.
Escort of First Class and Business Class passengers is also part of the provision which has been running since the start of the contact on December 1.
Dnata’s load control expertise and support from its team of skilled turnaround co-ordinators for all Air India’s flights aims to help the carrier maximise revenue, ensure the safety of its aircraft and help protect its on-time performance, a statement released here said.
Air India is expected to take delivery of its next (fourth) Boeing 787 Dreamliner soon and the airline has plans to introduce the aircraft on the London route.
Handling of the Dreamliner is also included in the new contract and the team is looking forward to handling it at LHR’s Terminal 4.
To service the new contract for the airline, some 65 passenger-and-traffic staff are expected to transfer from the previous handler to the Dnata group.