Latest news with #GCAA
Al Etihad
2 days ago
- Business
- Al Etihad
UAE's ‘Global Sustainable Aviation Marketplace' institutionalised as ICAO annual event
22 July 2025 12:40 ABU DHABI (WAM) The Council of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), during its 235th Session, has officially adopted the UAE's Global Sustainable Aviation Marketplace (GSAM) as an institutionalised annual event under ICAO's official calendar, marking a rare recognition for a state-initiated concept to evolve into a regular, internationally supported launched in Abu Dhabi in February 2025 on the sidelines of the ICAO Global Implementation Support Symposium (GISS), the GSAM initiative aims to accelerate sustainable practices in global aviation by bringing together stakeholders from across the ecosystem, including airlines, manufacturers, regulators and investors, to drive the adoption of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), low-carbon aviation fuels (LCAF), and climate finance solutions under the ICAO (Finvest Hub).ICAO's decision reflects the country's dedicated efforts to establish the event and secure its formal integration into the organisation's global reflects the UAE's growing influence in shaping the future of sustainable aviation and its ability to deliver scalable, institutional solutions to global of Economy and Chairman of the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, said, "Thanks to the guidance of our wise leadership, the UAE continues to lead the civil aviation sector both regionally and internationally. This achievement reflects the UAE's prominent position on the global civil aviation map and reaffirms its excellence in developing future solutions and creating sustainable and innovative global initiatives that drive the growth and competitiveness of this vital sector while keeping pace with global development needs.""We have succeeded in transforming a national idea into a global institutional platform that supports ICAO's goals and contributes to building a more efficient and resilient aviation ecosystem, in line with the world's best practices."Director-General of the GCAA, Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, stated, "We are proud that the GSAM initiative, once a national vision, is now a formal ICAO-backed global event. This milestone is a testament to the UAE's strategic focus on sustainability and our belief in inclusive, multilateral collaboration to drive progress."The ICAO Council members praised the UAE's leadership and vision, noting the UAE has a forward-looking vision in taking decisive steps towards achieving sustainability and promoting innovation, presenting a model for the world in how to turn vision into tangible initiative was proposed by the UAE in 2024 through its permanent mission to ICAO, with a clear goal: to establish a global marketplace that connects policy, technology, and finance to support aviation's transition to net-zero idea quickly gained traction and was brought to life by a coordinated effort between the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority, the UAE Permanent Mission team in Montreal, and various local and international partners. Preparations are now underway for the second edition of GSAM, and the event is expected to attract a wide range of global participants and serve as a practical forum for advancing ICAO's Long-Term Aspirational Goal (LTAG) of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Emirates 24/7
2 days ago
- Business
- Emirates 24/7
UAE's ‘Global Sustainable Aviation Marketplace' institutionalised as ICAO annual event
The Council of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), during its 235th Session, has officially adopted the UAE's Global Sustainable Aviation Marketplace (GSAM) as an institutionalised annual event under ICAO's official calendar, marking a rare recognition for a state-initiated concept to evolve into a regular, internationally supported platform. First launched in Abu Dhabi in February 2025 on the sidelines of the ICAO Global Implementation Support Symposium (GISS), the GSAM initiative aims to accelerate sustainable practices in global aviation by bringing together stakeholders from across the ecosystem, including airlines, manufacturers, regulators and investors, to drive the adoption of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), low-carbon aviation fuels (LCAF), and climate finance solutions under the ICAO (Finvest Hub). ICAO's decision reflects the country's dedicated efforts to establish the event and secure its formal integration into the organisation's global calendar. It reflects the UAE's growing influence in shaping the future of sustainable aviation and its ability to deliver scalable, institutional solutions to global challenges. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Chairman of the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), said, 'Thanks to the guidance of our wise leadership, the UAE continues to lead the civil aviation sector both regionally and internationally. This achievement reflects the UAE's prominent position on the global civil aviation map and reaffirms its excellence in developing future solutions and creating sustainable and innovative global initiatives that drive the growth and competitiveness of this vital sector while keeping pace with global development needs. "We have succeeded in transforming a national idea into a global institutional platform that supports ICAO's goals and contributes to building a more efficient and resilient aviation ecosystem, in line with the world's best practices.' Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director-General of the GCAA, stated, 'We are proud that the GSAM initiative, once a national vision, is now a formal ICAO-backed global event. This milestone is a testament to the UAE's strategic focus on sustainability and our belief in inclusive, multilateral collaboration to drive progress." The ICAO Council members praised the UAE's leadership and vision, noting the UAE has a forward-looking vision in taking decisive steps towards achieving sustainability and promoting innovation, presenting a model for the world in how to turn vision into tangible reality. The initiative was proposed by the UAE in 2024 through its permanent mission to ICAO, with a clear goal: to establish a global marketplace that connects policy, technology, and finance to support aviation's transition to net-zero emissions. The idea quickly gained traction and was brought to life by a coordinated effort between the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority, the UAE Permanent Mission team in Montreal, and various local and international partners. Preparations are now underway for the second edition of GSAM, and the event is expected to attract a wide range of global participants and serve as a practical forum for advancing ICAO's Long-Term Aspirational Goal (LTAG) of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Gulf Business
15-07-2025
- Business
- Gulf Business
Dubai World Central: Driverless vehicles introduced for airport operations
Image credit: WAM/Website Global air and travel services provider dnata has introduced a fleet of autonomous electric tractors at Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC), marking a significant step forward in smart ramp operations. Read- The company is now operating six electric EZTow autonomous tractors developed by TractEasy, capable of towing up to four baggage containers (ULDs) at a time along pre-defined routes at speeds of up to 15 km/h, Traditionally, baggage movement between terminals and aircraft has relied on human-operated vehicles working under tight time constraints. dnata's adoption of autonomous vehicles aims to streamline these operations, improve safety, and reduce turnaround times. The introduction of autonomous vehicles allows dnata to reassign personnel previously responsible for driving baggage tractors to more complex, value-added roles. The automation is also expected to reduce the likelihood of human error, improving overall ramp safety. The Dhs6m ($1.6m) initiative starts with Level 3 autonomy—meaning minimal human oversight is still required. However, dnata plans to upgrade to Level 4 autonomy by early 2026. At that stage, vehicles will operate fully autonomously within controlled airside environments. Regulatory collaboration under way This deployment is the result of more than a year of collaboration between dnata, TractEasy, Dubai Airports, and the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA). Together, the stakeholders are working to establish a regulatory framework for airside autonomous operations—an area that currently lacks clear global guidelines. Beyond the current rollout, dnata plans to use the deployment as a live testbed to experiment with different models of autonomous ground handling. The goal is to determine the most effective approach for a broader implementation—especially as DWC expands toward becoming the world's largest airport, with a projected capacity of 260 million passengers and 12 million tonnes of cargo annually, 'While autonomous vehicles have largely been limited to trials, this deployment brings the technology into regular, day-to-day operations,' said Jaffar Dawood, Divisional Senior Vice President for UAE Airport Operations at dnata. 'As global travel continues to rebound and operational demands increase, automation could be key to building smarter, safer and more resilient infrastructure.' TractEasy CEO Rich Reno added, 'TractEasy is proud and excited to partner with an industry leader like dnata and blaze a safe and efficient autonomous trail for others to follow.' Masdar City begins testing Level 4 autonomous shuttles On July 11, 2025, The initiative is being conducted under the oversight of Abu Dhabi's Integrated Transport Centre (ITC), which is ensuring all regulatory, safety, and compliance standards are met. The project forms part of Abu Dhabi's broader strategy to foster smart mobility solutions across the emirate. Level 4 automation allows a vehicle to operate without human input within a geofenced zone—representing a major leap in AV technology and usability. Masdar City, already known as a hub for sustainability and clean tech, houses the Smart Autonomous Vehicles Industry (SAVI) cluster. The city is positioning itself as a global testbed for autonomous vehicle innovation by inviting leading global manufacturers to trial Level 4 AVs within its integrated urban ecosystem. This effort further solidifies the UAE's ambitions to lead in smart and sustainable urban transport. Dubai RTA to launch 50 autonomous taxis in 2025 In a separate move to advance smart mobility, Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Baidu's Apollo Go, the Chinese autonomous ride-hailing pioneer, to begin trials of 50 autonomous taxis across Dubai by the end of 2025. The deployment marks the beginning of an operational phase that will prepare for full public service launch in 2026. Under the agreement, Baidu will bring its sixth and latest generation autonomous taxi, the RT6, to Dubai. Each vehicle is equipped with over 40 sensors and detectors to ensure full Level 4 autonomy and optimal passenger safety. The RT6 The project will begin with data collection and testing, gradually scaling up to 1,000 autonomous taxis over the next three years, based on performance and service quality standards. The parallel efforts by dnata, Masdar City, and the RTA signal the UAE's accelerated push to integrate autonomous vehicles into its infrastructure—both on the ground and at airports. From baggage handling tractors at DWC to self-driving taxis and smart city shuttles, these initiatives underscore the country's ambition to lead the global race in autonomous mobility.
Zawya
15-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Dubai: dnata rolls out autonomous vehicles in airport operations
DUBAI - dnata, a global air and travel services provider, has deployed a fleet of autonomous vehicles at Dubai World Central - Al Maktoum International (DWC), introducing next-generation technology in ramp operations. dnata now operates six electric tractors - the EZTow model developed by TractEasy - at DWC. Traditionally, baggage is transported between the terminal and aircraft by human drivers, each operating under tight time constraints. The new autonomous vehicles streamline this process by towing up to four baggage containers (ULDs) at a time at speeds of up to 15 km/h, following pre-defined routes. With these new vehicles now in service, and as they become integrated into operations, staff who previously drove baggage tractors can be reassigned to more complex, value-added tasks, supporting faster turnarounds. At the same time, autonomous driving reduces the risk of human error, making airside operations safer for everyone on the ramp. The AED6 million (US$1.6 million) project deployment begins with Level 3 autonomy, which involves minimal human oversight. This will upgrade to Level 4 autonomy, defined by full self-driving capabilities in controlled environments, in early 2026. The rollout follows over a year of collaboration between dnata, TractEasy, Dubai Airports and the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA). The parties have been working together to create a new regulatory framework for autonomous vehicle operations in airside environments, which remain largely undefined at a global level. Beyond its day-to-day role, dnata will use this deployment as a testbed to trial and refine different operating models for autonomous ground handling. The aim is to identify the most effective approach for wider rollout, especially as DWC expands into what is set to become the world's largest airport, with capacity for up to 260 million passengers and 12 million tonnes of cargo annually. Jaffar Dawood, Divisional Senior Vice President for UAE Airport Operations at data, said, 'While autonomous vehicles have largely been limited to trials, this deployment brings the technology into regular, day-to-day operations. As global travel continues to rebound and operational demands increase, automation could be key to building smarter, safer and more resilient infrastructure.' 'Autonomous GSE adoption is taking off,' said Rich Reno, TractEasy's CEO. 'TractEasy is proud and excited to partner with an industry leader like dnata and blaze a safe and efficient autonomous trail for others to follow.'
Khaleej Times
15-07-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Dubai: Driverless vehicles to transport luggage to flight at Al Maktoum International
The next time you fly out of Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International (DWC), watch out for driverless baggage tractors transporting your luggage to your flight. Air and travel services provider dnata said Tuesday that it has deployed a fleet of autonomous vehicles at the airport for ground handling services. The six electric tractors – the EZTow model developed by TractEasy – tow up to four baggage containers (ULDs) at a time at speeds of up to 15 km/h, following predefined routes. Traditionally, baggage is transported between the terminal and aircraft by human drivers operating under tight time constraints. 'With these new vehicles now in service, and as they become integrated into operations, staff who previously drove baggage tractors can be reassigned to more complex, value-added tasks, supporting faster turnarounds. At the same time, autonomous driving reduces the risk of human error, making airside operations safer for everyone on the ramp,' dnata said. The Dh6 million (US$1.6 million) project deployment begins with Level 3 autonomy, which involves minimal human oversight. This will be upgraded to Level 4 autonomy defined by full self-driving capabilities in controlled environments in early 2026. dnata, TractEasy, Dubai Airports, and the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) worked together for a year to create a new regulatory framework for autonomous vehicle operations in airside environments. Authorities see the deployment as a trial to test different operating models for autonomous ground handling. The aim is to identify the most effective approach for wider rollout especially as DWC expands into what is set to become the world's largest airport, with capacity for up to 260 million passengers and 12 million tonnes of cargo annually. Jaffar Dawood, Divisional Senior Vice President for UAE Airport Operations at dnata, said: 'While autonomous vehicles have largely been limited to trials, this deployment brings the technology into regular, day-to-day operations. As global travel continues to rebound and operational demands increase, automation could be key to building smarter, safer, and more resilient infrastructure.' According to IATA, autonomous ground support equipment (GSE) trials are currently underway in more than 15 countries.
