By Rafiq Vayani
DUBAI: dnata announced the appointment of Thiemo van Spellen as the new Managing Director of dnata Netherlands, effective 1 February 2026.
Thiemo brings broad international experience in logistics, commercial strategy and customer-centric growth. He joins dnata from Geopost (DPDgroup), where he served as Global Accounts Managing Director, leading global customer strategies and driving cross-border business expansion.
In his new role, Thiemo’s priorities will include strengthening operational excellence and elevating customer partnerships across the business for both cargo and passenger operations – while developing the organisational capabilities needed to support dnata Netherlands’ next phase of growth.
dnata Netherlands plays a pivotal role in the wider dnata network, providing cargo, ground handling and passenger services at one of Europe’s busiest aviation hubs, Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS). The business works with a diverse portfolio of customers operating short-haul, long-haul and freighter services – currently serving over 20 airlines, handling approximately 500,000 tonnes of cargo annually and supporting about 16,000 flight per year.
Over the past decade, dnata has steadily expanded its footprint in the country, strengthening its cargo and ground handling operations through innovative handling solutions and long-term airline partnerships at AMS.
Recent investments in infrastructure, electrification of ground support equipment and environmental management have positioned the business for sustainable growth, alongside the development of dnata Cargo City Amsterdam, a fully automated cargo facility set to significantly expand capacity in the Netherlands.
Thiemo succeeds Jan van Anrooy, who has retired from the business.
Stewart Angus, dnata’s regional CEO for Europe, said: “I am delighted to welcome Thiemo to dnata Netherlands. Thiemo has an excellent combination of global commercial leadership expertise, operational insight, and a people-driven management style. His ability to cultivate strategic customer partnerships and lead transformation initiatives will be significant for dnata Netherlands as we continue to optimise our operations.”
“We would like to thank Jan for his leadership over the past five years, including his work in developing our passenger handling business and supporting preparations for the opening of the dnata Cargo City Amsterdam. We wish him every success in the future.”
Thiemo van Spellen added: “I am pleased to be joining the dnata team at such an exciting time. dnata has an established reputation in cargo and ground handling, and I am keen to build on this strong foundation in the Netherlands by working closely with customers and partners to deliver value and sustainable growth.”
Globally, dnata delivers reliable and safe ground handling and cargo services at more than 90 airports across 16 countries. In the financial year 2024-25, dnata’s customer-oriented teams handled over 794,000 aircraft turns and moved 3.1 million tonnes of cargo.
