Dnata has deployed six autonomous electric baggage tractors at Dubai World Central (DWC), marking a major step in airport automation. Developed by TractEasy, the vehicles streamline baggage handling, improve safety, and boost efficiency. This pioneering move supports Dnata’s broader innovation strategy and positions DWC as a hub for next-gen airport tech.
In a bold step toward the future of airport operations, dnata has officially launched a fleet of autonomous electric baggage tractors at Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC). The initiative marks a milestone in the aviation industry, introducing automation to one of the most complex and time-sensitive areas of airport logistics: ground handling.
The deployment involves six EZTow autonomous electric tractors, developed by French autonomous mobility leader TractEasy, capable of towing up to four Unit Load Devices (ULDs) at speeds of 15 km/h. These self-driving vehicles operate along pre-defined, secure routes between aircraft and terminal facilities, taking on tasks traditionally handled by human-operated equipment.
This move positions dnata as one of the first ground handling companies worldwide to integrate autonomous vehicles into live daily operations at a major international airport. While many airports globally are still conducting pilot tests of similar technologies, dnata’s deployment is already operational, signaling a shift from experimentation to implementation.
“This is a transformative moment not only for dnata but for the broader aviation sector,” said Jaffar Dawood, Divisional Senior Vice President for UAE Airport Operations at dnata. “We’re embracing automation to enhance safety, increase efficiency, and free up human talent for more critical roles.”
By automating the transport of baggage and cargo across the airside, dnata aims to improve turnaround times, reduce the margin for human error, and increase predictability in high-traffic zones. The autonomous fleet operates under Level 3 autonomy, which means the tractors can drive themselves with minimal human supervision. Dnata has announced plans to upgrade to Level 4 autonomy—vehicles capable of fully self-driving within a controlled environment—by early 2026.
The current rollout, valued at AED 6 million ($1.6 million), follows over a year of collaborative development with TractEasy, Dubai Airports, and the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA). The teams jointly worked on establishing a regulatory framework for airside autonomous vehicle operations, an area still lacking standardized international policies.
“Autonomous ground support equipment is no longer a concept—it’s becoming the standard,” said Rich Reno, CEO of TractEasy. “We are proud to work alongside dnata to pioneer these systems in a real-world airport environment.”
This launch is a key component of dnata’s broader innovation strategy, which includes the use of autonomous drones for cargo inventory management in its warehouses. These efforts align with dnata’s vision of creating a smarter, safer, and more resilient airport ecosystem, especially as global air traffic continues its post-pandemic recovery.
The initiative is particularly significant for DWC, which is set to become the largest airport in the world, with a projected capacity of 260 million passengers and 12 million tonnes of cargo annually. The deployment serves as a testbed for future mobility models, shaping the next generation of ground handling and airside operations.
As dnata continues to lead the way in adopting next-generation technologies, its push into automation reflects a broader trend across the aviation industry—where digital transformation is no longer optional, but essential.
