DUBAI and SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 13, 2022 - AeroVect, a global leader in automation technology for the airport ground handling industry, is partnering with dnata, a leading global air and travel services provider, to pilot and deploy autonomous ground support equipment (GSE), designed to enable superior productivity, reliability and safety in ground support operations at airports served by dnata in the United States and around the world.
This partnership is the very first between a global ground handling service provider and an autonomous driving company, making dnata the first major international handler to pilot and deploy autonomous ground support equipment. It is also the very first time this technology is being deployed by a handler operating in Dubai (UAE), a global aviation hub and home to some of the world’s most complex ground handling operations.
“We are beyond excited to partner with dnata, the leading global ground handler, and help them accelerate the transformation of their logistics operations at the world’s busiest airports.” said Eugenio Donati, co-founder of AeroVect. “With a deep passion for innovation and unwavering commitment to service excellence, dnata is the logical partner for AeroVect as we bring GSE automation to market at scale globally”.
“We constantly invest in technology and leading-edge equipment to further enhance efficiency and deliver world-class services for our customers across our global network,” said Bartu Korgul, head of GSE, dnata. “We look forward to piloting and deploying Aerovect’s innovative solution in our operations at some of the world’s busiest airports.”
Based in Silicon Valley, the global capital of self-driving technology and robotics, AeroVect has developed the AeroVect Driver, a fully autonomous driving system that operates airline- and handler-owned ground support vehicles from all major OEMs, starting with baggage and cargo tractors.
dnata will soon begin piloting AeroVect’s self-driving technology at a major airport in the United States, where a tractor powered by the AeroVect Driver will transport cargo autonomously from a cargo warehouse to one of the airport’s terminals. Over the next few years, the two companies aim to deploy as many as 100 ground support vehicles equipped with AeroVect’s self-driving technology at major airports worldwide, including Dubai International (DXB) and Dubai World Central (DWC).
dnata’s partnership with AeroVect marks a turning point for global aviation as the industry grapples with unprecedented labor challenges that have disrupted travel for tens of millions in recent months. The unique advantages of deploying AeroVect’s autonomous technology for ground support equipment will help dnata deliver unparalleled service quality to its airline customers, improving speed, reliability and safety while lowering operating costs.
