Lightening the load with DKA
This is a special feature from PAX International's October 2024 IFSA Global EXPO issue.
DKA’s team at WTCE 2024
DKA brought a fresh product lineup and brand identity to the World Travel Catering and Onboard Services Expo (WTCE) earlier this year, following its acquisition by the LHM Group. As the company begins a new chapter in its story, it is putting sustainability and durability at the forefront with two of its products: the Eco-Lite+ and the new XT2.5+ and meal carts.
DKA showcased both carts in Hamburg and is continuing to educate buyers on the benefits of investing in lightweight products that are designed to go the distance.
Striking a balance
DKA calls the XT2.5+ its “toughest lightweight” cart to date. The product, available in full and half size, is crafted for long-lasting durability using UNI-STRUCTURE technology. Despite the robust design to endure wear and tear in the cabin, the full-size cart weighs 16.5 kg (36.4 lbs) from empty and the half-size weighs 10.7 kg (23.6 lbs) from empty.
“The XT2.5+ cart received very positive feedback from airlines at WTCE 2024,” King W Lee, CEO, DKA, tells PAX International. “Many airlines praised its durability, lightweight design and ease of maintenance, showing strong interest in this new cart series.”
DKA’s team poses with the Eco-Lite+ cart at WTCE 2024
As the cart series gains attention from airlines, Lee explains that the potential benefits to carriers and cabin crew are both long- and short-term. Cost savings are particularly noteworthy thanks to the common design of the lightweight cart.
“The interchangeable parts of the XT2.5+ meal carts offer significant benefits by using a common cart design platform,” Lee says. “This allows airlines to obtain spare parts more quickly and easily without needing to stock a large inventory of different parts, simplifying maintenance and reducing costs.”
Like the XT2.5+, DKA’s Eco-Lite+ meal cart aims to help airlines achieve cost savings, primarily through weight reduction in the cabin. Lee says it is the lightest cart in DKA’s product lineup, offering significant savings for airlines by reducing weight and fuel consumption. The Eco-Lite+ incorporates lightweight design elements, weighing 24 percent less than conventional carts on the market.
The XT2.5+ cart on display at DKA’s booth in Hamburg
Elevating DKA
DKA was acquired by the LHM Group in 2023, and the company is showcasing the enhancements to its product lineup as a result of the acquisition through the “+” symbol in XT2.5+ and the Eco-Lite+. The “+” represents newly added benefits of the cart series, which DKA cites as dedicated customer support and services, accelerated lead times and elevated quality standards.
According to Lee, these benefits are a factor in addressing the current challenges in the onboard services sector. He explains that airlines are consistently looking for solutions to common challenges associated with interior galley equipment, specifically maintaining the durability of a cart while lightening the onboard load.
“They need a cart that is both lightweight and capable of withstanding wear and tear,” Lee concludes, “Our XT2.5+ cart addresses these two critical issues effectively.”
DKA’s XT2.5+ meal cart
