Toll Dnata expands its footprint in Australia

Toll Dnata Airport Services (TDAS), a 50 per cent joint venture between Toll Holdings Ltd in Australia and Dnata, has acquired the airport handling operations of Skystar at Perth and Brisbane airports, as well as the international passenger handling operations of Aerocare at Sydney and Adelaide.

The acquisition of Skystar's ground handling operations at Perth and Brisbane enables TDAS to strengthen and enhance its service capability in Brisbane, and to enter the Perth ground handling market for the first time. In addition, TDAS will benefit by taking on a hugely talented team of staff, modern equipment, prime facilities and new customers. Skystar, which will retain its airport handling business at various other domestic airports in Australia and New Zealand, is a subsidiary of Monadelphous , one of Australia's leading engineering groups.

By taking Aerocare into its fold, TDAS brings 'in-house' the services previously sub-contracted by TDAS to Aerocare at Adelaide and Sydney. TDAS will again benefit from acquiring a very talented pool of staff locally, new equipment and well-located airport facilities. Aerocare has retained its airport handling business at other domestic airports in Australia.

Both acquisitions enable TDAS to expand its footprint in Australia, broaden its suite of high-quality ground handling services, and offer an even more compelling value-proposition to airline customers.

Stewart Angus, Divisional Senior Vice President of Dnata said: "Toll Dnata is enhancing its capabilities by investing in facilities and new equipment and by growing our operations across Australia. Both Skystar and Aerocare are very well-run operations, and they represent a good business fit for us. We look forward to providing our customers with an enhanced and broader range of services."

Paul Little, Managing Director of Toll Holdings said: "Toll is pleased to be working with Dnata to build up the capabilities of Toll Dnata in advance of the joint venture becoming the ground handler for Emirates in Australia next month."