
dnata rolls out autonomous vehicles in airport operations
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 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 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 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.Divisional 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.'

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Zawya
a day ago
- Zawya
Emirates goes on a hiring spree for cabin crew, pilots and ground services staff
The parent of Emirates airline is looking to expand its workforce by 17,300 including hiring more cabin crew, pilots and engineers as well as cargo, catering and ground handling staff, it said on Tuesday. Emirates Group, owned by Dubai's sovereign wealth fund ICD, plans to add staff in 350 different roles across the group in the financial year that ends next March, expanding its overall workforce by 14%. The new jobs will include over 4,000 at its ground-handling firm dnata, it said. Emirates plays a key role in positioning Dubai as a global centre. Under a 10-year plan known as D33, the city state is seeking to grow its economy by investing in tourism and attracting foreign capital, including into real estate. Home to the world's tallest tower, the city-state welcomed 8.68 million overnight visitors between January and May this year, a rise of 7% from a year earlier, according to government data. As part of the recruiting drive, Emirates will be hosting over 2,100 open days and other talent acquisition events in 150 cities throughout the year, it said in the statement. (Reporting by Federico Maccioni; Editing by Susan Fenton)


Hi Dubai
a day ago
- Hi Dubai
Emirates Group Launches Global Recruitment Drive to Hire Over 17,000 Talented Professionals
The Emirates Group has officially launched a large-scale global recruitment campaign to hire over 17,000 professionals during the current financial year. The move comes as part of its ambitious growth strategy and aligns with the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, which aims to further strengthen Dubai's position as a global economic hub. Spanning 350 diverse roles, the recruitment drive covers opportunities across both Emirates Airline and dnata, a major international air and travel services provider. Vacancies range across key sectors including cabin crew, pilots, engineers, sales, ground handling, catering, IT, HR, and finance. dnata alone is set to hire more than 4,000 specialists in cargo, catering, and ground operations. H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline & Group, stated: 'The Emirates Group's people strategy is anchored in Dubai's Economic Agenda D33 and our own projected growth and expansion. We're seeking world-class talent to fuel our bold ambition, redefine the future of aviation, and continue our commitment and culture of innovation and excellence.' To support this massive talent drive, the Emirates Group will conduct over 2,100 recruitment events across 150 cities worldwide, targeting skilled professionals in aviation, technology, and customer services. Additionally, Dubai-based events will be organised to engage and recruit Emirati students and graduates, helping to build a strong pipeline of national talent. The Group has already made significant hiring strides in recent years. Since 2022, over 41,000 new employees have joined its ranks—including 27,000 in operational roles—bringing the total workforce to more than 121,000 globally. With a global reputation for excellence and innovation, Emirates remains one of the most sought-after employers in the UAE and beyond. In the last financial year alone, the company received more than 3.7 million job applications, a testament to its attractive tax-free salaries, employee benefits, and strong training and development programmes. Dubai's global appeal—driven by safety, economic opportunities, and a future-focused environment—continues to attract top talent, making the emirate a preferred destination for professionals across industries. News Source: Emirates News Agency


ARN News Center
a day ago
- ARN News Center
Emirates Group to recruit over 17,000 staff in global hiring drive
The Emirates Group has launched a global recruitment drive that aims to hire 17,300 staff across 350 roles this year. Hundreds of new recruits are required across some roles, including cabin crew, pilots, engineers, commercial and sales teams, customer service, ground handling, catering, IT, HR and finance. dnata is looking to hire more than 4,000 cargo, catering and ground handling specialists. H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline & Group, said, 'The Emirates Group's people strategy is anchored in Dubai's Economic Agenda D33 and our own projected growth and expansion. We're seeking world-class talent to fuel our bold ambition, redefine the future of aviation, and continue our commitment and culture of innovation and excellence. This is an opportunity for skilled and talented professionals to play a stellar role in our future, our strategy, and our growth story.' Throughout the year, the Group will be hosting more than 2,100 open days and other talent acquisition events in 150 cities to recruit the best pilots, IT professionals, engineers, and talent for cabin crew roles. This also includes Dubai-based events to engage UAE national students and graduates. Since 2022, the Group has onboarded more than 41,000 professionals, including nearly 27,000 in various operational roles, and today has a 121,000-strong workforce. The Group has always been a top talent magnet and an employer of choice both in the UAE and globally. In the last financial year, the Group received more than 3.7 million applications for roles spanning all its brands and departments, with candidates attracted by its brand power; global reputation; people-first strategy; tax-free salary and top-notch benefits; and its renowned training, development, and recognition programmes. Talented professionals around the world are drawn to Dubai for any number of reasons – safety, security, economic opportunity, tech-centric ecosystems, future-thinking policies, and for being a vibrant, lifestyle destination.