The UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has granted the country’s first regulatory approval to trial autonomous baggage handling vehicles at Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International (DWC), marking a key step in the nation’s push toward smart aviation infrastructure, according to a report published by state news agency, WAM.
The approval, developed in coordination with Dubai Airports and ground handling provider dnata, enables real-time testing of multiple autonomous baggage tractors under live airside conditions.
The framework balances innovation with operational safety and positions DWC as a hub for next-generation airport technologies.
“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,” said Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, director-general of the GCAA. “We are proud to support initiatives like this that keep the UAE at the forefront of smart mobility in aviation.”
Autonomous tractors will be trialled by dnata at DWC
The autonomous tractors will be trialled by dnata within a regulated environment created jointly with the GCAA and Dubai Airports.
The initiative allows the testing of self-driving mobility in one of the most dynamic areas of aviation — ground handling — and supports wider efforts to modernise airside operations across the country.
“This is not just a technical trial; it is a blueprint for the future of airside operations in the UAE,” said Aqeel Al Zarouni, assistant director general of the Aviation Safety Affairs Sector at the GCAA. “A clear, robust and forward-looking regulatory approach is essential to enabling innovation without compromising safety.”
Dubai Airports said the trial aligns with DWC’s long-term growth plans. “DWC presents a unique opportunity to support and scale next-generation solutions,” said Omar Binadai, chief technology and infrastructure officer at Dubai Airports. “As we plan for the next phase of aviation growth at DWC, such initiatives will play a significant role in shaping an airport system designed for the future.”
Jaffar Dawood, DSVP for UAE Airport Operations at dnata, said the trial underscores the company’s focus on operational efficiency and service quality. “The introduction of autonomous vehicles into live baggage operations marks a significant milestone for both dnata and the wider industry,” he said.
The trial is part of a broader collaboration between dnata and the GCAA to integrate automation into ground handling. DWC, with a projected capacity of 260 million passengers annually, serves as a strategic testing ground for scalable airport innovation.
Insights from the trial will inform future deployments of autonomous systems across the UAE’s airport network.
