DNATA switches fleet of 70 heavy-goods vehicles at London Heathrow Airport to run on renewable diesel

Photo: DNATA

Dubai National Air Travel Agency announced Oct. 1 that the airport-service provider has switched its fleet of 70 heavy-goods vehicles (HGV) at London Heathrow Airport to run on hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), also known as renewable diesel.

According to DNATA, this strategic move is projected to reduce the carbon footprint of its HGV fleet by 77 percent, cutting CO2-equivalent emissions by over 2,400 metric tons annually.

This is comparable to the greenhouse-gas emissions from over 530 average gas-powered cars for 12 months.

The initiative is part of the DNATA Group’s continued efforts to reduce its carbon footprint by 50 percent by 2030 in line with its eight-year strategy.

“We are committed to implementing meaningful initiatives to maximize environmental efficiency,” said Alex Doisneau, the managing director of DNATA U.K. “The introduction of biofuel, such as HVO, into our U.K. operations is another important step in our ongoing journey to reduce our carbon footprint. We will continue to invest in infrastructure and equipment to contribute to DNATA’s global sustainability targets.”

DNATA’s most recent initiative follows significant investment in advanced infrastructure in the U.K.

Its new advanced cargo centers in Manchester and London both incorporate the latest carbon-reduction initiatives in design and operation, the company said, including the use of solar PV panels, air-source heat pumps and electric-vehicle charging.

Besides the U.K., DNATA currently utilizes biofuel in Australia, the Netherlands and the United Arab Emirates while exploring opportunities to introduce it in additional countries across its network.

In the UAE, it has recently transitioned its entire nonelectric fleet to biodiesel at the two Dubai airports, Dubai International and Al Maktoum-Dubai World Central.

In 2023-’24 fiscal year, DNATA reduced CO2e emissions by 2,200 tons by using over 1.3 million liters (343,424 gallons) of biofuels globally.

DNATA’s long-term fleet strategy, however, commits to phasing out diesel-operated engines and switching to hybrid, electric or hydrogen wherever airports have provided the necessary infrastructure.

As a result of its investments in recent years, 65 percent of DNATA’s fleet is now electric in the Netherlands, 44 percent in Italy, 40 percent in the U.K. and 39 percent in Switzerland.