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TECHx
15-07-2025
- Business
- TECHx
dnata Deploys Autonomous Vehicles at DWC Airport
Home » Smart Sectors » Travel & Hospitality » dnata Deploys Autonomous Vehicles at DWC Airport dnata, a global air and travel services provider, has announced the deployment of autonomous vehicles at Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International (DWC). The initiative introduces next-generation technology to ramp operations. dnata now operates six electric EZTow tractors, developed by TractEasy, at the airport. Traditionally, human drivers transported baggage between the terminal and aircraft. The new autonomous vehicles streamline the process by towing up to four baggage containers (ULDs) at once, traveling at speeds of up to 15 km/h on pre-defined routes. This AED6 million (US$1.6 million) project starts with Level 3 autonomy, which involves limited human oversight. dnata revealed plans to upgrade to Level 4 autonomy by early 2026, enabling full self-driving capabilities in controlled environments. As operations evolve, staff who previously drove baggage tractors will be reassigned to higher-value tasks. This is expected to support faster aircraft turnarounds and reduce the risk of human error on the ramp. The deployment follows over a year of collaboration between dnata, TractEasy, Dubai Airports, and the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA). The group has worked on creating a regulatory framework for autonomous vehicle operations in airside environments. Vehicles will operate daily, improving efficiency and safety. The project also serves as a testbed for wider rollout models. dnata aims to refine autonomous ground handling approaches as DWC prepares to expand into the world's largest airport, with a planned capacity of 260 million passengers and 12 million tonnes of cargo annually. Jaffar Dawood, Divisional Senior Vice President for UAE Airport Operations at dnata, stated that this move brings autonomous technology into daily airport operations. He emphasized the role of automation in building smarter, safer, and more resilient infrastructure. Rich Reno, CEO of TractEasy, added that the collaboration with dnata marks a significant step forward in safe and efficient autonomous adoption in the aviation sector.
Gulf Insider
15-07-2025
- Business
- Gulf Insider
Dubai Airport Trials Self-Driving Baggage Tractors – Here Is How They Work
Dubai's Al Maktoum International Airport is now using self-driving electric tractors to move baggage. Aviation services company dnata has launched a fleet of six autonomous vehicles at the airport, representing an investment of Dh6 million, it said on Tuesday. The tractors, which can tow up to four baggage containers at a time, will initially operate with minimal human oversight, with plans to transition to full self-driving capability by early 2026. dnata said it now operates six electric tractors – the EZTow model, developed by TractEasy – at DWC. dnata stated that the move will enhance efficiency and safety, enabling staff to be reassigned to more complex tasks. The deployment is part of a push towards automation as Dubai World Central expands to become the world's largest airport. Trials of similar technology are underway in over 15 countries, but dnata claims this launch marks a significant step in bringing autonomous vehicles into regular airport operations. 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. Beyond its day-to-day role, dnata stated that it would utilise this deployment as a testbed to trial and refine various 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. The insights gained will help shape how automation is built into the core of future airport operations at DWC, it said. 'This is an important step forward for both dnata and the wider aviation industry,' said Jaffar Dawood, Divisional Senior Vice President for UAE Airport Operations at dnata. '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,' he said. Autonomous ground support equipment (GSE) has become a key focus area for innovation in recent years. According to the IATA, such trials are currently underway in more than 15 countries, although most remain in early testing phases or are restricted to small-scale pilots. 'Autonomous GSE adoption is taking off,' said Rich Reno, TractEasy's CEO.
Hi Dubai
15-07-2025
- Business
- Hi Dubai
dnata Deploys Autonomous Vehicles to Enhance Airport Ground Operations at DWC
dnata has introduced autonomous ground support vehicles at Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International (DWC), marking a significant advancement in automating airport ramp operations. The move is part of a broader effort to streamline one of the most labour- and time-intensive areas in aviation—ground handling. The rollout includes six EZTow electric baggage tractors, developed by TractEasy. These autonomous vehicles can tow up to four baggage containers at speeds of up to 15 km/h along predefined routes. By automating baggage movement between terminals and aircraft, dnata aims to reduce human error, enhance airside safety, and reassign drivers to more complex operational tasks that add value and speed up aircraft turnarounds. This AED 6 million (USD $1.6 million) initiative begins with Level 3 autonomy, which allows for limited human intervention, and is expected to evolve into Level 4 full autonomy by early 2026. The deployment also serves as a testbed for future large-scale automation at DWC, which is set to become the world's largest airport with a planned capacity of 260 million passengers and 12 million tonnes of cargo annually. Jaffar Dawood, Divisional Senior Vice President for UAE Airport Operations at dnata, said: 'This is an important step forward for both dnata and the wider aviation industry… automation could be key to building smarter, safer and more resilient infrastructure.' Rich Reno, CEO of TractEasy, 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.' The project was developed in collaboration with Dubai Airports and the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), who are jointly working on creating regulatory frameworks for autonomous vehicles in airside environments—a largely unregulated area globally. News Source: Dubai Media Office
Gulf Today
15-07-2025
- Business
- Gulf Today
dnata rolls out autonomous vehicles in airport operations
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 Dhs6 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.' WAM
Al Etihad
15-07-2025
- Business
- Al Etihad
dnata rolls out autonomous vehicles in airport operations
15 July 2025 13:38 DUBAI (WAM) 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 now operates six electric tractors - the EZTow model developed by TractEasy - at 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 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 the same time, autonomous driving reduces the risk of human error, making airside operations safer for everyone on the Dh6 million ($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 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 its day-to-day role, dnata will use this deployment as a testbed to trial and refine different operating models for autonomous ground 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 Senior Vice President for UAE Airport Operations at data, Jaffar Dawood, 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.'
