Autonomous Ground Operations Gain Momentum Across Global Airports

Brussels Airport (Belgium) is testing an autonomous electric tow tractor for cargo-trailer movements between warehouses and aircraft aprons. The pilot is being conducted with cargo handler WFS Cargo and Charlatte Autonom, a joint venture between ground-support-equipment manufacturer Charlatte Manutention and autonomous-driving specialist Navya Mobility. The vehicle will operate on four predefined routes in the cargo area, during off-peak periods, at a maximum autonomous speed of 12 km/h. It can tow up to four cargo trailers.

A trained operator remains on board throughout the trial to supervise operations and intervene if necessary. The airport will assess the technology’s integration, operational performance and requirements for potential larger-scale deployment; no rollout decision has been announced.

The project forms part of Stargate, a European Commission-supported sustainable-aviation programme led by Brussels Airport with 22 partners, including airports and airlines.  #1276.GSE4

Pentastar Aviation has begun deploying autonomous wingwalking robots from Airtrek Robotics in its ground operations, with full implementation planned for the fourth quarter of 2026. The robots move alongside aircraft during towing and monitor the surrounding area for obstacles, supporting ground crews on ramps and in hangars. Pentastar says the system is intended to complement, rather than replace, crew judgement. The company contributed operational input during Airtrek’s development of the technology.

Pentastar Aviation is a private-aviation services provider headquartered at Oakland County International Airport (Michigan, United States). Founded in 1964 as Chrysler Corporation’s internal flight department, it now provides FBO, charter, aircraft-management, maintenance, avionics, interior and catering services. Its operational role as an FBO and MRO provider makes towing safety a direct application for the system. 

Punta Cana Airport (Dominican Republic) has deployed SeeTrue AI software with Leidos ClearScan CT baggage scanners to detect drugs and undeclared currency in passenger baggage. The platform analyses CT images in real time at operational checkpoint speeds, alerting screening personnel to potential concealed contraband. It forms part of a recently completed checkpoint-modernisation programme delivered with Leidos and its local partner, PBS Dominican Republic Office.

According to the companies, it is the first international-airport deployment of SeeTrue’s drug- and currency-detection algorithms with ClearScan technology. Punta Cana Airport expects the system to improve checkpoint efficiency and passenger-processing capacity while strengthening security screening.  

VertiGIS has deployed its ConnectMaster telecommunications-management system at Kuwait International Airport in Kuwait. The system was installed for Arabian Construction Company (ACC), which integrates information-and-communications technology, fire-safety and digital-transformation systems. It provides a central inventory of passive cabling infrastructure and active network equipment, supporting network maintenance and future expansion planning.

ACC is using the platform to manage 350 km of copper cabling, 850 km of fibre infrastructure, 200 cabinets and 270 routers and switches. An optical time-domain reflectometer fault-location tool is also being used to identify faults and speed up troubleshooting.

The deployment gives ACC a single record of airport network assets, connections and dependencies. It is intended to support network extensions and service reliability as the airport develops.

TLD has demonstrated a remotely controlled towbarless pushback of an Airbus A350-900 at Hong Kong International Airport (Hong Kong, China). The Alvest Group ground-support-equipment manufacturer said the trial was the first remote-controlled pushback of a wide-body aircraft using an electric towbarless tractor. An operator on the apron controlled the TPX-200-MTX-E through a portable wireless remote-control panel, in a live airside environment.

The battery-electric tractor is designed for pushback, repositioning and towing of narrow- and wide-body aircraft. TLD said its direct electric driveline uses two wheel-hub motors, avoiding the energy losses associated with hydraulic transmissions. Its features include anti-jackknife protection and automated loading.

The trial assessed the use of remote operation to improve ramp flexibility, situational awareness and operator positioning. TLD’s next planned stage is to test and deploy pushback controlled remotely from an off-site control room; this has not yet entered operational service.

Adelaide Airport (South Australia, Australia) will install more than 50 Amadeus Seamless Bag Drop S7 Air and S7 Air Hybrid units, alongside around 80 self-service kiosks. The bag-drop units can operate either as self-service equipment or agent-assisted stations. Their side-loading configuration is intended to improve handling of large items, including wheelchairs, pushchairs and trolleys.

The airport will also migrate its passenger-processing technology to Amadeus Airport Cloud Use Service. The cloud platform will allow airlines to use any available check-in or boarding position, rather than fixed airline-specific counters, and support roaming-agent services within the departure hall.

Adelaide will further deploy Amadeus Smart Message to exchange baggage-system messages with airlines, replacing the legacy Teletype standard. The airport is Australia’s fifth-busiest by passenger traffic.  

Ground support equipment provider HiSERV has integrated TOP GSE into its group, expanding its operations in Spain and Portugal. TOP GSE has supplied equipment to airlines and ground handlers in both countries since 2010. Its local fleet, staff and customer relationships will become part of HiSERV’s network, which will now serve customers at 40 airports across Spain and Portugal.

HiSERV began operating in Spain in May 2026, supporting a European carrier at Palma de Mallorca Airport. The company said the integration will give Southern European customers access to a wider equipment pool, maintenance support and fleet-pooling infrastructure while retaining TOP GSE’s local teams.

The agreement was signed on 9 September. HiSERV manages approximately 20,000 ground-support-equipment units across Europe. Both companies will attend GSE Expo Europe in Lisbon from 15 to 17 September.

dnata is investing USD 110 million in 800 new ground-support equipment units across operations in 10 countries. The Dubai-based ground handler is progressively replacing diesel-powered equipment with hybrid and electric alternatives, while expanding its use of automation. In the United Arab Emirates, dnata has begun trials of TractEasy EZTow autonomous baggage vehicles, intended to reduce manual ramp processes.

The investment forms part of dnata’s global ground-handling fleet-modernisation programme. Its equipment supports aircraft turnaround operations, including baggage handling, airside transport and passenger servicing.

dnata said the UAE trials will help prepare its operations for the planned expansion of Al Maktoum International Airport (Dubai, United Arab Emirates). The company is also examining connected equipment and digital systems to improve fleet tracking, asset management and maintenance planning. 

Smiths Detection has received US Transportation Security Administration Level 2AB certification for its prohibited-item detection software for airport checkpoints. The certification applies to software used with Smiths Detection computed-tomography screening systems. It uses machine learning to assess carry-on baggage images and flag bags requiring operator attention.

Smiths Detection is a security-screening technology supplier, providing equipment for aviation, ports, border and other critical-infrastructure applications. The Transportation Security Administration is the US federal agency responsible for transport security.

The certification confirms that the software meets the TSA standard for explosive detection at US airport passenger checkpoints. The announcement does not identify airports deploying the software, the CT-system models covered, deployment dates or contract awards.  

SITA has launched Border Flow Lane, a border-processing system designed to clear enrolled travellers while they move through an immigration hall rather than at a fixed gate, kiosk or officer checkpoint. The system uses passenger data, pre-clearance processes and authorised biometric information to verify travellers before departure and again on arrival. SITA said it can process border clearance up to eight times faster than a conventional eGate and that more than 75% of travellers could be cleared before departure; these are company performance claims.

Participation is voluntary, with travellers choosing to enrol and use their biometric data. Border agencies retain responsibility for identity verification and border decisions, while officers can focus on travellers requiring further checks.

SITA said the system is intended to increase throughput within existing immigration halls, reducing the need for additional border-processing infrastructure. No airport, border agency or operational deployment was announced.

Assaia and Frontier Audio have partnered to integrate voice communication with artificial-intelligence-based aircraft-turnaround monitoring for ground-handling teams.

The system links Frontier Audio’s voice platform with Assaia’s ApronAI computer-vision solution. Ground staff can record and communicate operational events hands-free through headsets and handheld devices while working around an aircraft.

The platform captures and timestamps crew updates, then transfers them to ApronAI alongside information independently identified by computer vision. ApronAI alerts can also be delivered as audio to frontline staff, reducing reliance on screens, radio or telephone messages during the turnaround process.

The companies said the technology has been trialled in live turnaround operations with major airlines and ground-handling partners. Participating teams reported clearer communications, stronger coordination with dispatch and improved safety through hearing protection. The partnership remains in the development phase, with trial feedback informing the current version of the system.

Publisher’s note: The articles in this special report, compiled for inter airport Global, are a few select samples from the biweekly Momberger Airport Information newsletter, published since 1973. The newsletter is an advertising-free, global airport news service that consists of 9 modules and allows subscribers to customize their own newsletter package. The modules that make up the biweekly newsletter are: Airport Development (DEV), Calendar of Events (CAL), and the subscriber-selectable modules Airport Operations (OPS), Management, Ownership & Finance (MGT), Ground Support Equipment (GSE), Air Traffic Services (ATC), Consultant & Contractor / Sustainable Aviation (CON), Airport Information Technology (AIT), and Maintenance Base & FBO (MRO). For more information, a sample of a complete newsletter issue, and to order an annual subscription, please visit www.mombergerairport.info.

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