Deal close on passenger and cargo services in Philippines

Dubai-based Dnata Airport Operations has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Philippines-based Wings Aviation Systems Corp to provide joint-venture cargo, ground and passenger handling at Manila, Cebu and Clark Field.

The contract, which is expected to be signed soon, will set out the terms of strengthening cargo warehousing, ramp services and maintenance support at Ninoy Aquino International Airport and Mactan Cebu International Airport, and provision of full service ground handling at Clark International Airport.

The MOU was signed in Dubai by Ismail Ali Albanna, Dnata's director of airport services, and Jennifer Enano-Bote, chief operating officer of Wings, the cargo warehousing and handling agent in Manila.

A similar agreement was signed between Dnata and the Albert Abela Corporation for the provision of ground and passenger handling in Beirut a few days ago.

Mr Albanna said: 'We look forward to a mutually beneficial working partnership with Wings in the Philippines, an important future growth area in international aviation.' Ms Enano-Bote said: 'Our vision is one of continuous improvement and innovation, and we are confident that a venture with Dnata will accelerate that process.' Wings, a wholly owned subsidiary of Philippine Skylanders, is the agent for Emirates SkyCargo, the air freight division of Emirates in the Philippines.

Wings and Dnata will also explore the introduction of airport automation in the Philippines with Mercator, the Emirates Group's IT subsidiary.