Brussels Airport Trials Autonomous Electric Tow Tractor

Brussels Airport (BRU) has initiated real-world trials of an autonomous electric tow tractor within its cargo zone, marking the first deployment of self-driving cargo transport at a Belgian Airports.

In a press release issued on August 24, 2026, the airport announced the pilot program in partnership with WFS Cargo and Charlatte Autonom, a joint venture between Charlatte Manutention and Navya Mobility. The trial is part of the European Stargate programme, a five-year initiative funded by the European Green Deal to test sustainable and efficient aviation technologies.

Operational parameters and vehicle specifications

The autonomous vehicle combines a logistics platform developed by Charlatte Manutention with an autonomous driving system from Navya Mobility. Operating on predefined routes between cargo warehouses and the airport aprons, the electric tow tractor is designed to navigate the complex ground environment without an onboard operator.

During the trial phase, the vehicle is restricted to a maximum speed of 12 km/h while in autonomous mode. It has the capacity to tow up to four cargo trailers simultaneously.

“This project with Brussels Airport once again illustrates the expertise of Charlatte Manutention and Navya Mobility in deploying autonomous mobility solutions within complex and demanding airport environments,” said Jean-Claude Bailly, CEO of Navya Mobility. “Safety and reliability are paramount in the design of our products, whose technology enables fully autonomous operation, without an operator on board, when regulatory conditions allow.”

Cargo volume context and Stargate integration

The Automation trial arrives during a period of high cargo throughput for Brussels Airport. The facility handled nearly 420,000 tonnes of Cargo-Aircraft in the first half of 2026, representing an 8.3% increase compared to the same period in 2025. While July 2026 saw a slight 3.2% decline to 66,600 tons due to drops in trucked replacement traffic and express services, full cargo charters and belly cargo volumes continued to grow.

The autonomous tractor pilot is a key deliverable in the fifth and final year of the Stargate programme. Launched in November 2021, the €24.8 million initiative is led by Brussels Airport and includes a consortium of 22 partners focused on mobility, energy, and technology solutions.

“At Brussels Airport, we continue to explore innovative and sustainable solutions that can tangibly strengthen cargo operations,” said Arnaud Feist, CEO of Brussels Airport. “Thanks to this project, we can gain valuable insights into the potential of autonomous technologies, and into what they can deliver in terms of efficiency and Sustainability, while people remain key to operations and the highest Safety standards are maintained.”

AirPro News analysis

We view the deployment of autonomous ground support equipment as a necessary evolution for major cargo hubs facing persistent labor constraints and ambitious emissions targets. The controlled, highly regulated environment of an airport apron provides an ideal testing ground for geofenced autonomous vehicles. By limiting the initial trial to predefined routes and a strict 12 km/h speed limit, Brussels Airport and its partners are prioritizing safety data collection over immediate operational throughput. If successful, this pilot could establish a regulatory and operational framework for broader autonomous ground handling adoption across European airports.

Sources: Brussels Airport