dnata Deploys 111 Ground Support Vehicles for Dubai Airshow 2025

Behind the Scenes: The Ground Game Powering Dubai Airshow 2025

The Dubai Airshow is a global stage where the latest in Commercial-Aircraft technology takes flight, captivating audiences with dazzling aerial displays and groundbreaking aircraft. But for every aircraft that graces the sky or sits in pristine static display, there is a complex, unseen ballet of logistics happening on the ground. This intricate operation is the bedrock of the event’s success, ensuring safety, efficiency, and seamless execution. It’s an arena where precision and power are just as critical as they are in the cockpit.

At the heart of this ground-level choreography for the 2025 Dubai Airshow is dnata, a global air and travel services provider. The company is tasked with the monumental responsibility of managing the on-ground services that keep the event running smoothly at Dubai World Central (DWC). To achieve this, dnata is deploying a significant fleet of over 100 ground support vehicles. This isn’t just about moving planes; it’s about orchestrating a massive logistical operation that supports one of the world’s premier aviation events without disrupting the normal, high-volume traffic of Dubai’s two major airports.

A Symphony of Steel and Precision

The scale of dnata’s involvement is substantial. The operation involves the deployment of approximately 111 motorized ground support units, each playing a specific role in the complex sequence of aircraft handling. This fleet includes a range of specialized equipment, from powerful aircraft pushback tractors that guide jets into position to ground power units, passenger steps, and essential air conditioning units that maintain aircraft systems on the tarmac. Every movement is meticulously planned and executed by a team of seasoned professionals.

The Logistical Gauntlet: Bridging Two Airports

One of the most significant challenges is the logistical feat of moving heavy ground equipment from Dubai International (DXB) to Dubai World Central (DWC). This task, managed by dnata Technical Services and dnata Logistics, requires careful coordination to avoid any interruption to the regular, bustling operations of both airports. The priority is to ensure that the high-stakes environment of a live airshow does not compromise the integrity of daily flight schedules, a testament to the company’s planning and adaptive capabilities.

Jaffar Dawood, Divisional Senior Vice President for UAE Airport Operations at dnata, sheds light on the complexity of the task. He describes it as an “entire choreography behind every aircraft movement,” emphasizing that the teams apply the same focus and precision to the airshow as they do to their day-to-day airport operations. This level of expertise is built on years of experience supporting the event, allowing them to manage a live spectacle of this scale while keeping two of the world’s busiest airports running seamlessly.

This operational excellence is reflective of dnata’s broader performance. In its recent half-year results, the company reported handling 450,903 aircraft turns and 1.59 million tonnes of cargo globally. These figures underscore the scale and experience dnata brings to the tarmac, demonstrating a proven ability to deliver under complex and demanding conditions.

“Our priority is to keep both airports running seamlessly while managing a live event of this scale… The Airshow is a great example of dnata’s ability to plan, adapt and deliver under complex operational conditions.”, Jaffar Dawood, Divisional Senior Vice President – UAE Airport Operations at dnata

Paving the Way for a Greener Tarmac

Beyond the immediate operational demands, the Dubai Airshow 2025 serves as a platform for the industry’s future, with Sustainability taking center stage. As a founding member of the oneDXB Sustainability Alliance, dnata is a key contributor to the event’s first-ever Sustainability Showcase. This initiative highlights the aviation community’s collective drive toward a more environmentally responsible future, moving beyond concepts to showcase real-world applications.

The Fleet of the Future on Display

dnata is dedicating 14 of its 111 deployed assets specifically to this sustainability display. The showcase features a range of vehicles from its electric, hybrid, and bio-diesel fleet, demonstrating tangible progress in reducing ground-level emissions. These are not just prototypes; they are pieces of equipment that are already contributing to cleaner and safer ground operations. This commitment is backed by significant capital, including a $210 million investment in 2024 for equipment renewal and decarbonisation and a further $110 million in 2025 to introduce over 800 new ground support units across ten markets.

Among the sustainable ground support equipment (GSE) being showcased are the TLD TPX-100-E, an electric towbarless aircraft tractor; the Oshkosh AeroTech Commander 15i electric loader; the TLD ABS-580-E electric passenger step; and an innovative solar-powered Aviramp Continental passenger boarding ramp. These vehicles represent a practical shift in ground handling technology, proving that operational efficiency and environmental responsibility can go hand-in-hand.

A Pragmatic Path to Decarbonisation

dnata’s approach to sustainability is rooted in pragmatism. The company acknowledges that a one-size-fits-all solution is not viable, especially in demanding environments like Dubai, known for its high heat and operational intensity. Instead, it employs a multi-faceted strategy that combines electric, hybrid, and bio-diesel technologies. This allows dnata to maintain reliability and operational readiness while progressively lowering its carbon footprint.

This strategy is particularly relevant where infrastructure for full electrification is still developing. As Jaffar Dawood notes, “Electrification is progressing fastest where infrastructure supports it.” In the interim, a mixed-fleet approach ensures that sustainability goals are pursued without compromising the high standards of service and safety required in aviation. It represents a thoughtful and realistic roadmap toward a lower-carbon future for ground operations worldwide.

Innovation on the Ground

The Dubai Airshow is also a venue for dnata to present several technological innovations that are currently in use or undergoing live trials. These advancements point toward a future where ground handling is not only greener but also smarter and safer. By integrating automation and AI, the company is exploring new frontiers in operational efficiency and workplace safety.

Among the key innovations being presented is an autonomous baggage tractor, which promises to streamline baggage handling processes. Additionally, dnata is showcasing an AI-powered safety camera system designed for loaders, which can enhance situational awareness and prevent accidents on the busy tarmac. Perhaps most ambitious is the development of an autonomous aircraft docking system, which is currently being trialed for the A380, one of the world’s largest passenger aircraft. These technologies represent the next evolution in ground support, where data and automation drive performance.

Conclusion: More Than Just Support

dnata’s role at the Dubai Airshow 2025 transcends that of a mere service provider. The company acts as a crucial partner, demonstrating how intricate logistical planning, a firm commitment to sustainability, and forward-thinking innovation are shaping the future of aviation from the ground up. The deployment of over 100 vehicles is more than a number; it represents a complex, finely-tuned system that is integral to the event’s success and safety.

The airshow serves as a microcosm of the broader trends sweeping through the aviation industry. As we look ahead, the push for decarbonisation and digitalization will only intensify. dnata’s pragmatic, multi-pronged approach, blending electric, hybrid, and bio-diesel technologies while pioneering automation and AI, offers a clear glimpse into the future of ground handling. It is a future where efficiency, safety, and sustainability are not competing priorities but integrated components of a smarter, more responsible aviation ecosystem.

FAQ

Question: How many vehicles is dnata deploying for the Dubai Airshow 2025?
Answer: dnata is deploying over 100 ground support vehicles, specifically around 111 motorized assets, to manage operations at the airshow.

Question: What is dnata’s main role at the airshow?
Answer: dnata’s primary role is to provide comprehensive on-ground support for all aircraft participating in both the static and flying displays, ensuring safe, efficient, and seamless operations throughout the event.

Question: How is dnata promoting sustainability at the event?
Answer: As a key contributor to the airshow’s first Sustainability Showcase, dnata is displaying 14 vehicles from its electric, hybrid, and bio-diesel fleet to highlight its commitment to decarbonisation and cleaner ground operations.

Question: What kind of new technology is dnata showcasing?
Answer: dnata is presenting several innovations that are in use or undergoing live trials, including an autonomous baggage tractor, an AI-powered safety camera system for loaders, and an autonomous aircraft docking system being developed for the A380.

Sources: dnata Media Centre