Image credit: WAM/Website
Global air and travel services provider dnata has introduced a fleet of autonomous electric tractors at Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC), marking a significant step forward in smart ramp operations.
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The company is now operating six electric EZTow autonomous tractors developed by TractEasy, capable of towing up to four baggage containers (ULDs) at a time along pre-defined routes at speeds of up to 15 km/h, according to a WAM report.
Traditionally, baggage movement between terminals and aircraft has relied on human-operated vehicles working under tight time constraints. dnata’s adoption of autonomous vehicles aims to streamline these operations, improve safety, and reduce turnaround times.
The introduction of autonomous vehicles allows dnata to reassign personnel previously responsible for driving baggage tractors to more complex, value-added roles. The automation is also expected to reduce the likelihood of human error, improving overall ramp safety.
The Dhs6m ($1.6m) initiative starts with Level 3 autonomy—meaning minimal human oversight is still required. However, dnata plans to upgrade to Level 4 autonomy by early 2026. At that stage, vehicles will operate fully autonomously within controlled airside environments.
Regulatory collaboration under way
This deployment is the result of more than a year of collaboration between dnata, TractEasy, Dubai Airports, and the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA). Together, the stakeholders are working to establish a regulatory framework for airside autonomous operations—an area that currently lacks clear global guidelines.
Beyond the current rollout, dnata plans to use the deployment as a live testbed to experiment with different models of autonomous ground handling. The goal is to determine the most effective approach for a broader implementation—especially as DWC expands toward becoming the world’s largest airport, with a projected capacity of 260 million passengers and 12 million tonnes of cargo annually, a WAM report said.
“While autonomous vehicles have largely been limited to trials, this deployment brings the technology into regular, day-to-day operations,” said Jaffar Dawood, Divisional Senior Vice President for UAE Airport Operations at dnata. “As global travel continues to rebound and operational demands increase, automation could be key to building smarter, safer and more resilient infrastructure.”
TractEasy CEO Rich Reno added, “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.”
Masdar City begins testing Level 4 autonomous shuttles
On July 11, 2025, Masdar City began trials of Level 4 autonomous vehicles (AVs), in partnership with Solutions+, a smart mobility provider and Mubadala company.
The initiative is being conducted under the oversight of Abu Dhabi’s Integrated Transport Centre (ITC), which is ensuring all regulatory, safety, and compliance standards are met. The project forms part of Abu Dhabi’s broader strategy to foster smart mobility solutions across the emirate.
Level 4 automation allows a vehicle to operate without human input within a geofenced zone—representing a major leap in AV technology and usability.
Masdar City, already known as a hub for sustainability and clean tech, houses the Smart Autonomous Vehicles Industry (SAVI) cluster. The city is positioning itself as a global testbed for autonomous vehicle innovation by inviting leading global manufacturers to trial Level 4 AVs within its integrated urban ecosystem.
This effort further solidifies the UAE’s ambitions to lead in smart and sustainable urban transport.
Dubai RTA to launch 50 autonomous taxis in 2025
In a separate move to advance smart mobility, Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Baidu’s Apollo Go, the Chinese autonomous ride-hailing pioneer, to begin trials of 50 autonomous taxis across Dubai by the end of 2025.
The deployment marks the beginning of an operational phase that will prepare for full public service launch in 2026.
Under the agreement, Baidu will bring its sixth and latest generation autonomous taxi, the RT6, to Dubai. Each vehicle is equipped with over 40 sensors and detectors to ensure full Level 4 autonomy and optimal passenger safety. The RT6 has already achieved widespread success in China.
The project will begin with data collection and testing, gradually scaling up to 1,000 autonomous taxis over the next three years, based on performance and service quality standards.
The parallel efforts by dnata, Masdar City, and the RTA signal the UAE’s accelerated push to integrate autonomous vehicles into its infrastructure—both on the ground and at airports.
From baggage handling tractors at DWC to self-driving taxis and smart city shuttles, these initiatives underscore the country’s ambition to lead the global race in autonomous mobility.
