dnata Ltd Futureproofs Airside Operations with Fronius Charging Technology

dnata, one of the UK’s leading air services providers, has taken a bold step towards future-proofing its ramp operations at Manchester Airport by partnering with Fronius UK to deliver a state-of-the-art electric baggage tug (EBT) and electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. The project marks a significant milestone in dnata’s commitment to operational excellence, sustainability, and innovation.

Handling over 17,500 aircraft turnarounds annually across London Heathrow, Gatwick, and Manchester Airport, dnata’s ramp operations are fast-paced and precision-driven. With a fleet of 28 EBT’s operating from 03:00 to midnight, seven days a week, and a team of 120 ramp professionals, the need for a reliable and scalable charging solution was critical.

Previously, the department operated with just nine charging stations - far from sufficient to meet the growing demands of the fleet. The new installation, designed in close collaboration with Turner & Townsend Infrastructure Limited and Fronius UK, has transformed the charging landscape at Manchester Airport.  

The project introduced two dedicated charging zones: a main area featuring 22 Selectiva 4.0 chargers, and a bespoke, dual-purpose, sub-area equipped with a further two Selectiva 4.0 chargers and two Wattpilot EV chargers. All chargers are housed in IP-rated cases for outdoor use, complete with racking and safety barriers. Exterior LED indicators provide instant visual feedback on battery status - green for fully charged, yellow for charging and blue for optimal readiness - ensuring visibility in all weather conditions.

Stephanie Clough, Operations Manager at dnata Ltd, shared her enthusiasm:  “It is a transformation for the area. The operational benefits are brilliant as we can now charge all our kit in one area.”

The new airside location consolidates the operations team and charging infrastructure into a single hub, streamlining workflows and improving accessibility. With only a 3–4 hour window each day to charge the EBT’s, the expanded setup ensures all vehicles are ready when needed, minimising downtime and maximising efficiency.

Fronius’ Charge & Connect digital monitoring system, coupled with Tag ID battery sensor technology, have been instrumental in delivering intelligent fleet management. These systems allow dnata to monitor battery health in real time, plan maintenance proactively, and optimise budgeting for replacements. Nick Williams, Airside Fleet Supervisor, noted:  “With Charge & Connect, it means I can monitor the health of the batteries and forward plan so that if I have a failing battery, a replacement can be ordered, which means less downtime for the vehicles.”

The project was delivered in carefully planned phases, with charger installation followed by electrical and data infrastructure to ensure seamless integration. The blank canvas of the new site was brought to life with power, data, and cutting-edge technology, all coordinated by Turner & Townsend’s Kyle Daniels and Ali Alkhazendar.

Ali Alkhazendar described the impact: “It was so convenient working with Fronius. They’ve brought an entirely new technology to the airfield which has not been used before at any of the charging points at Manchester Airport.”

Kyle Daniels added: “The communication between the teams – Manchester Airport, Fronius and dnata – worked really, really well. It’s a great team to be part of and we’ve been able to deliver what we set out to do from the start.”

Fronius UK’s Jon Frazer and Mitchell Friedman led the technical delivery, presenting the capabilities of Charge & Connect and ensuring the solution met dnata’s operational needs. Installation was handled by Fronius UK and Norco Group Ltd, with minimal disruption to dnata’s busy schedule.  

Beyond operational gains, the new system has delivered measurable environmental benefits. Thanks to Fronius’ intelligent charging curves, dnata has significantly reduced water consumption for battery maintenance - from 10 litres per battery per week to just 2 litres, with some weeks requiring none.

John Hetherington, Ramp Agent at dnata Ltd, commented: “The layout, the structure, and the ease of access to the charging bays has been really beneficial.”  

As dnata continues to expand its electric fleet, the new charging infrastructure provides a scalable, future-ready solution that supports its sustainability goals and operational excellence.