DKA's lightweight cart gains momentum
This is a special feature from PAX International's November 2024 Asia, Middle East, Africa issue on page 28.
The DKA team showcasing the XT2.5+ meal cart at WTCE 2024 in Hamburg
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 lightweight and durable products at the forefront with the Eco-Lite+ and the new XT2.5+ meal carts.
DKA calls the XT2.5+ its “toughest lightweight” cart to date. 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.
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.
Lee 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.”
