UAE's GCAA greenlights self-driving baggage vehicle trials at DWC

Dubai: The UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) announced Tuesday it has granted the nation’s first regulatory approval for trials of autonomous baggage handling vehicles at Dubai World Central - Al Maktoum International (DWC).

This initiative, developed in coordination with Dubai Airports and dnata, marks a “significant step towards integrating advanced technology into the country’s aviation sector.”

dnata will conduct the trials with multiple autonomous baggage tractors operating under live airside conditions at DWC. The project aims to test autonomous mobility in the dynamic environment of ground handling.

The insights gained during this trial will also support future expansions and help define how automation is integrated across UAE airports in the years ahead.

Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director General of the GCAA, said, “This approval represents a key milestone for aviation in the UAE and reflects our leadership’s vision to create a globally competitive, innovation-driven economy."

He emphasised the GCAA’s role as an enabler for new technologies while maintaining safety standards.

The trial at DWC is part of a broader collaboration between dnata and the GCAA focused on modernising airport ground handling through technology. DWC's planned capacity of 260 million passengers annually makes it an ideal location for such operational innovations. Insights from these trials are expected to inform future automation strategies across airports in the UAE.

Aqeel Al Zarouni, Assistant Director General of the Aviation Safety Affairs Sector at the GCAA, highlighted the collaborative effort to establish a regulatory framework that strikes a balance between innovation and operational safety. “This is not just a technical trial; it is a blueprint for the future of airside operations in the UAE,” he said.

Meanwhile, Omar Binadai, Chief Technology and Infrastructure Officer of Dubai Airports,  DWC's suitability as a testbed for next-generation solutions, emphasising innovation that enhances operational efficiency.

Jaffar Dawood, Divisional Senior Vice President for UAE Airport Operations at dnata, described the introduction of autonomous vehicles as a "significant milestone" for dnata and the industry, reflecting a commitment to improving safety, efficiency, and service quality.