dnata Catering & Retail expands Melbourne Airport facility
dnata Catering & Retail at MEL
dnata Catering & Retail has embarked on a major expansion of its advanced facility at Melbourne Airport (MEL).
Representing a US$31 million (AUS $50 million) investment, this development is set to enhance dnata’s ability to meet the evolving needs of its growing customer base with innovative catering and retail solutions.
The project will add 5,700 square meters to dnata’s existing facility, increasing its total footprint to over 16,000 square meters. This will make it the largest airline catering centre in Victoria, with the capacity to produce 25 million meals annually. Construction is already underway, with the newly built area scheduled to become operational in September 2026.
“This significant expansion of our Melbourne facility is an important step in our ongoing growth journey, enabling us to meet the rapidly increasing demand for our quality services. It will also contribute to our efforts to support the local economy and communities by creating new jobs and stimulating growth in associated sectors. We will continue to invest in our highly trained team, infrastructure and equipment to deliver outstanding meals and retail offerings that passengers love," said Hiranjan Aloysius, dnata Catering & Retail’s Regional CEO for Asia Pacific.
“This development is a significant milestone in the long-standing partnership between dnata and Melbourne Airport. This project, and its interface with airside operations, will streamline dnata’s ways of working here at Melbourne Airport, and will ensure that as Melbourne Airport grows so too will dnata,” said Jai McDermott, Melbourne Airport Chief of Ground Transport, Property and Retail. “This project will lay the foundation for dnata to accommodate new customers and support the long-term growth of existing airlines, especially as Melbourne Airport embarks on its own expansion to construct a third runway.”
