Views: 0 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2025-12-22 Origin: Site
dnata has deployed six electric-powered EZTow autonomous baggage tractors, developed by TractEasy, at Dubai World Central (DWC) airport. These vehicles take over the task of transporting baggage between aircraft and the terminal— a role previously performed by human drivers operating under strict time constraints. Capable of towing up to four baggage containers at speeds of 15km/h along pre-set routes, the tractors streamline ground handling workflows, cut down on human error, and enhance airside operational safety. Additionally, the deployment frees up former tractor drivers to be reassigned to more complex, value-added tasks, which in turn supports faster aircraft turnarounds.
The project represents a AED 6 million ($1.6 million) investment from dnata, with the tractors initially operating at Level 3 autonomy that requires minimal human supervision. The system is slated for an upgrade to Level 4 autonomy next year, enabling full self-driving within controlled airside environments. Beyond day-to-day operations, the deployment will serve as a testbed to trial and refine operating models for autonomous ground handling. Jaffar Dawood, Divisional Senior Vice President for UAE Airport Operations at dnata, emphasized that this initiative moves autonomous vehicle technology from trials to regular use, noting that automation is critical for building smarter, safer and more resilient airport infrastructure amid rebounding global travel demand. Rich Reno, CEO of TractEasy, hailed the partnership with dnata, framing it as a milestone in the adoption of autonomous ground support equipment (GSE) across the industry.
The rollout follows more than a year of collaborative efforts between dnata, TractEasy, Dubai Airports and the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority. A key outcome of this cooperation is the creation of a new regulatory framework for airside autonomous vehicle operations— a critical step given that such guidelines remain largely undefined on a global scale.
