The General Civil Aviation Authority has approved testing autonomous vehicles for baggage handling at Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International Airport. This move highlights efforts towards integrating advanced technologies into aviation operations while maintaining high safety standards.

The General Civil Aviation Authority, in collaboration with Dubai Airports and Dnata, has granted the nation's first regulatory approval to trial driverless vehicles for baggage handling at Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International Airport.

This approval aligns with the Authority’s commitment to integrating advanced technologies across all aviation operations. It aims to boost operational efficiency and aviation safety, supporting the implementation of next-generation operational models by leading service providers like Dnata.

Under a regulatory framework developed in partnership with the Authority, Dnata will test several autonomous vehicles for baggage handling within the airport's premises at Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International Airport.

The trial offers an opportunity to assess performance and safety in one of the most time-sensitive and operationally challenging aviation environments, shaping the future landscape of baggage handling and ground services at airports.

This initiative places the UAE among pioneering nations adopting smart automation technologies in airport grounds, strengthening its regulatory leadership and affirming its balanced approach between innovation and maintaining top-notch operational safety standards.

Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director-General of the General Civil Aviation Authority, stated that this approval marks a significant milestone in advancing the aviation sector within the country. He emphasized that this development aligns with national leadership’s vision of building a competitive economy based on innovation while ensuring adherence to high safety standards. The aim is also to support initiatives positioning the UAE as a leader in smart mobility.

Aqeel Al Zarouni, Assistant Director-General for Aviation Safety Affairs at the Authority, explained that operating autonomous vehicles in an active airport environment requires a flexible yet advanced regulatory framework. Collaboration with Dnata and Dubai Airports has led to developing an integrated model combining innovation with safety. This trial represents just the beginning of a comprehensive vision for future aerial operations within the UAE.

Omar Bin Adi, Chief Technology and Infrastructure Officer at Dubai Airports, remarked that this experiment showcases their contribution towards driving innovation to enhance operational excellence and passenger experience. It also lays down foundations for more flexible and efficient operational environments within airport grounds.

He added: As we gear up for the next phase of growth in aviation at Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International Airport, these initiatives-underpinning our collaborative spirit inspired by 'oneDXB'-will play a pivotal role in shaping future airport systems.

Jaffar Daoud, Senior Vice President for UAE Airport Operations at Dnata, noted that introducing autonomous vehicles into direct baggage handling operations marks an important step for both Dnata and the industry as a whole. This move underscores their ongoing commitment to embracing innovation and utilizing cutting-edge technologies to improve safety, efficiency, and service quality across various operations.

The driverless baggage vehicle trial is part of broader strategic cooperation between the General Civil Aviation Authority and Dnata aimed at developing smart ground handling solutions. With its future capacity expected to reach 260 million passengers annually, Dubai World Central - Al Maktoum International Airport offers an ideal environment for testing and applying state-of-the-art operational innovations.

The outcomes from this trial will support future expansions while enhancing automation integration within UAE airports-keeping pace with global developments in aviation technology.