Virgin and Delta open ‘technology-inspired’ Heathrow export facility

Dnata City East facility features expanded automated handling and processing capabilities, including a ‘Gatehouse’ concept, meaning drivers arriving no longer need to leave their vehicles to complete documentation processes.

Virgin Atlantic Cargo and Delta Cargo have opened a combined “technology-inspired, state-of-the-art” export facility at London Heathrow “to future-proof the joint venture’s growth plans in the UK market’. 

It said the off-airport facility, operated by cargo handling partner Dnata, was “supported by new technologies that will enhance business continuity, as well as deliver significant improvements and transparency in the customer delivery experience”.

Opened on schedule, the export facility at the new Dnata City East complex just south of Heathrow’s main airside cargo handling terminals is the first phase of Virgin Atlantic Cargo and Delta Cargo’s expansion programme to double cargo handling capacity at Heathrow to meet both airlines’ projected growth.

The two partner airlines’ export cargo has now moved from the nearby Dnata-operated Cargo Point facility to Dnata City East, but import cargo will continue to be handled for the time being at the Dnata West Point facility – until the import facility at Dnata City East is completed, expected late 2020.

The new facility features a ‘Gatehouse’ concept, meaning drivers arriving at the facility no longer need to leave their vehicles to complete documentation processes and are then immediately assigned to a cargo door to offload their freight. Drivers also receive text message updates to help expedite cargo deliveries.

Real-time acceptance using the operation’s door management system and hand-held technology also provides instant freight status update messages for customers to confirm their cargo is being handled and flown as planned, the two airlines said. Screens inside the facility, linked directly to the airlines’ operations control centres, enable flight monitoring and the management of service level agreements.

Tania Boyes, director for cargo operations at Virgin Atlantic, said: “We now have an export operation at our main UK hub which is designed around the current and future needs of our business, and which will further improve customer experience. By embracing new technology and ways of working, the building gives us the capacity to grow efficiently as we enter the next exciting phase of expansion for Virgin Atlantic.

“We especially wish to thank Dnata, our cargo handling partner, for enabling us to create this outstanding new facility and for making the move from our former export operation so seamless.”

Rafael Figueroa, Delta Cargo’s managing director for operations and customer experience, said: “These world-class expanded facilities position us for success in this important market. The technology enhancements and the transparency across the export operation, with increased temperature-controlled facilities, are designed to make it easier for our customers to work with both airlines.”

Compared to Virgin Atlantic Cargo and Delta Cargo’s former export operation at the airport, the new dnata City East facility offers:

18 customer delivery doors, double the amount previously;

An expanded ETV (Elevated Transfer Vehicle), capable of full automation, with 245 pallet positions, up 20%, which enables the loading of flights in ‘trim order’ to support the airlines’ on-time performance;

High-rise racking with 1,350 positions for storing export freight, eliminating unnecessary movements of shipments;

A dedicated Pharma Zone and increased capacity for temperature-controlled and perishables cargoes;

Special facilities for Dangerous Goods and Live Animal shipments;

New x-ray technology with enhanced imaging capability, reducing the need for secondary cargo screening;

Advanced internal and external high-definition CCTV systems to ensure a safe and secure working environment.

Source: Lloyd’s