Latest news with #TractEasy
Dubai Eye
12 hours ago
- Business
- Dubai Eye
Autonomous vehicles hit the tarmac at Dubai World Central
A fleet of autonomous vehicles have been deployed to support ramp operations at Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International airport (DWC). The global air and travel services provider, dnata, has rolled out six electric, self-driving baggage tractors at DWC, designed to tow luggage containers between aircraft and terminal buildings — a job traditionally done by human drivers. These autonomous vehicles, developed by TractEasy (EZTow model), can carry up to four baggage containers at once, travelling at speeds of up to 15 km per hour along pre-set routes. The move is expected to improve efficiency, safety and turnaround times on the ground. Staff who previously handled baggage transport are now being reassigned to more complex tasks, while automation helps reduce human error and streamline operations. The project, valued at AED 6 million, currently operates at Level 3 autonomy with minimal oversight. dnata plans to upgrade to Level 4 self-driving capability by early 2026. This initiative is also being used as a testbed to help shape future airport operations, especially as DWC prepares for massive expansion. The airport is set to become the largest in the world, with the capacity to handle up to 260 million passengers a year.
TECHx
19 hours ago
- 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.
ARN News Center
20 hours ago
- Business
- ARN News Center
Autonomous vehicles hit the tarmac at Dubai World Central
A fleet of autonomous vehicles have been deployed to support ramp operations at Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International airport (DWC). The global air and travel services provider, dnata, has rolled out six electric, self-driving baggage tractors at DWC, designed to tow luggage containers between aircraft and terminal buildings — a job traditionally done by human drivers. These autonomous vehicles, developed by TractEasy (EZTow model), can carry up to four baggage containers at once, travelling at speeds of up to 15 km per hour along pre-set routes. The move is expected to improve efficiency, safety and turnaround times on the ground. Staff who previously handled baggage transport are now being reassigned to more complex tasks, while automation helps reduce human error and streamline operations. The project, valued at AED 6 million, currently operates at Level 3 autonomy with minimal oversight. dnata plans to upgrade to Level 4 self-driving capability by early 2026. This initiative is also being used as a testbed to help shape future airport operations, especially as DWC prepares for massive expansion. The airport is set to become the largest in the world, with the capacity to handle up to 260 million passengers a year.
TAG 91.1
21 hours ago
- Business
- TAG 91.1
Autonomous vehicles hit the tarmac at Dubai World Central
A fleet of autonomous vehicles have been deployed to support ramp operations at Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International airport (DWC). The global air and travel services provider, dnata, has rolled out six electric, self-driving baggage tractors at DWC, designed to tow luggage containers between aircraft and terminal buildings — a job traditionally done by human drivers. These autonomous vehicles, developed by TractEasy (EZTow model), can carry up to four baggage containers at once, travelling at speeds of up to 15 km per hour along pre-set routes. The move is expected to improve efficiency, safety and turnaround times on the ground. Staff who previously handled baggage transport are now being reassigned to more complex tasks, while automation helps reduce human error and streamline operations. The project, valued at AED 6 million, currently operates at Level 3 autonomy with minimal oversight. dnata plans to upgrade to Level 4 self-driving capability by early 2026. This initiative is also being used as a testbed to help shape future airport operations, especially as DWC prepares for massive expansion. The airport is set to become the largest in the world, with the capacity to handle up to 260 million passengers a year.
Gulf Insider
21 hours ago
- 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.
