emirates7 - dnata, a global provider of air and travel services, has introduced a fleet of autonomous vehicles at Dubai World Central - Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC), marking the adoption of advanced technology in ramp operations.
Currently, dnata is operating six electric tractors, the EZTow model developed by TractEasy, at DWC. Traditionally, baggage transfer between terminals and aircraft is managed by human drivers working under strict time pressures. These new autonomous tractors can tow up to four baggage containers (ULDs) simultaneously at speeds up to 15 km/h, following pre-set routes to optimize the process.
With the autonomous vehicles now active and integrated into daily operations, staff who previously drove baggage tractors will be reassigned to more complex and value-adding roles, helping to speed up turnaround times. Additionally, the use of autonomous driving reduces the chance of human error, enhancing safety on the ramp for all personnel.
The AED 6 million (approximately US$1.6 million) project started with Level 3 autonomy, meaning the vehicles operate with minimal human supervision. This will be upgraded to Level 4 autonomy, which involves full self-driving capabilities in controlled areas, expected to be implemented by early 2026.
This rollout is the result of over a year of collaboration between dnata, TractEasy, Dubai Airports, and the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA). Together, they have worked to establish a new regulatory framework for the operation of autonomous vehicles in airside environments—an area that currently lacks clear global regulations.
Besides its operational use, dnata plans to use this initiative as a testing ground to experiment with and improve various autonomous ground handling models. The goal is to find the best strategy for broader implementation, especially as DWC develops into what is projected to become the world’s largest airport, with a capacity to handle up to 260 million passengers and 12 million tonnes of cargo annually.
Jaffar Dawood, Divisional Senior Vice President for UAE Airport Operations at dnata, commented, “While autonomous vehicles have mostly been tested in trials, this deployment integrates the technology into everyday operations. As global travel recovers and operational demands grow, automation will be essential in creating smarter, safer, and more resilient infrastructure.”
Rich Reno, CEO of TractEasy, added, “The adoption of autonomous ground support equipment is accelerating. We are proud and excited to collaborate with a leading company like dnata to pioneer a safe and efficient path for others in the industry to follow.”
Currently, dnata is operating six electric tractors, the EZTow model developed by TractEasy, at DWC. Traditionally, baggage transfer between terminals and aircraft is managed by human drivers working under strict time pressures. These new autonomous tractors can tow up to four baggage containers (ULDs) simultaneously at speeds up to 15 km/h, following pre-set routes to optimize the process.
With the autonomous vehicles now active and integrated into daily operations, staff who previously drove baggage tractors will be reassigned to more complex and value-adding roles, helping to speed up turnaround times. Additionally, the use of autonomous driving reduces the chance of human error, enhancing safety on the ramp for all personnel.
The AED 6 million (approximately US$1.6 million) project started with Level 3 autonomy, meaning the vehicles operate with minimal human supervision. This will be upgraded to Level 4 autonomy, which involves full self-driving capabilities in controlled areas, expected to be implemented by early 2026.
This rollout is the result of over a year of collaboration between dnata, TractEasy, Dubai Airports, and the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA). Together, they have worked to establish a new regulatory framework for the operation of autonomous vehicles in airside environments—an area that currently lacks clear global regulations.
Besides its operational use, dnata plans to use this initiative as a testing ground to experiment with and improve various autonomous ground handling models. The goal is to find the best strategy for broader implementation, especially as DWC develops into what is projected to become the world’s largest airport, with a capacity to handle up to 260 million passengers and 12 million tonnes of cargo annually.
Jaffar Dawood, Divisional Senior Vice President for UAE Airport Operations at dnata, commented, “While autonomous vehicles have mostly been tested in trials, this deployment integrates the technology into everyday operations. As global travel recovers and operational demands grow, automation will be essential in creating smarter, safer, and more resilient infrastructure.”
Rich Reno, CEO of TractEasy, added, “The adoption of autonomous ground support equipment is accelerating. We are proud and excited to collaborate with a leading company like dnata to pioneer a safe and efficient path for others in the industry to follow.”