Emirati leader to oversee dnata’s operations in growing East African market
Outstation supports services for 27 airlines and over 1.3 million passengers annually
Zanzibar, Tanzania, February 17, 2026: dnata has appointed Marwan Essa as Managing Director of its operations in Zanzibar, strengthening leadership in one of East Africa’s growing tourism and aviation gateways.
In his new role, Marwan will have full accountability for dnata Zanzibar’s business performance and development, overseeing ground handling and cargo operations while driving service excellence for airline customers and airport partners. His appointment also marks the first time an Emirati has been named to lead one of dnata’s international airport operations businesses.
Marwan’s appointment reflects a steady progression within dnata. Since joining the company in 2017, he has held a series of operational and performance-focused leadership roles between the UAE and Zanzibar, gaining broad experience across ground handling and airport operations. Most recently, he served as Head of Operations and Acting Managing Director in the East African outstation, supporting the business through a period of growth and increased activity.
Alexandra Doisneau, Regional Chief Executive Officer for Airport Operations in the Asia Pacific (APAC) and Middle East & Africa (MEA) regions, dnata, said: “Marwan’s journey within dnata demonstrates the strength of our internal talent pipeline. He brings a deep understanding of our operational standards and a clear focus on performance and partnership. We are confident he will continue to build on the strong foundations established in Zanzibar.”
dnata currently provides ground handling and cargo services to 27 airlines in Zanzibar, supporting approximately 5,700 flights annually. The operation assists more than 1.3 million passengers each year and handles around 6,000 tonnes of cargo. In addition, dnata’s airport hospitality brand, marhaba, operates in the country, offering lounge and signature meet-and-greet services that further enhance the passenger journey.
These services form a significant contribution to the wider aviation growth at Abeid Amani Karume International Airport, which now serves more than two million passengers annually and continues to expand as Zanzibar strengthens its position as one of East Africa’s leading leisure destinations and connectivity hubs.
Investing in Emirati leadership
Marwan’s appointment underscores dnata’s long-term commitment to nurturing Emirati talent and fostering an environment where high-performing leaders can progress into senior roles across its international operations. Today, more than 280 UAE Nationals work across dnata’s businesses, with over 100 serving in leadership positions – reflecting the company’s sustained investment in talent development and international exposure opportunities.
With a continued focus on safety, efficiency and service quality, dnata remains committed to supporting Zanzibar’s aviation growth and enhancing connectivity to global markets.
dnata is a leading global air and travel services provider. Established in 1959, the company offers quality and safe ground handling, cargo, travel, catering and retail services in more than 30 countries across six continents. In the financial year 2024-25, dnata’s customer-oriented teams handled over 794,000 aircraft turns, moved 3.1 million tonnes of cargo, uplifted 114 million meals, and recorded a total transaction value (TTV) of travel services of US$ 2.6 billion.
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