Brussels Airport has begun testing an autonomous electric tow tractor in cargo operations at its Belgium hub, moving trailers between warehouses and aircraft aprons. The pilot, run with WFS Cargo and Charlatte Autonom, is the first real-life autonomous cargo transport trial at a Belgian airport and forms part of the EU-backed Stargate sustainability programme.
The tractor follows four predefined routes in the cargo area, can tow up to four trailers and runs at up to 12 km/h in autonomous mode. Safety measures include off-peak testing, controlled conditions, a trained operator on board at all times and staff training for WFS employees. Satellite navigation and laser sensors support the vehicle’s detection systems, while Navya software manages movement in the mixed-traffic airport environment.
Brussels Airport will use the trial to assess whether autonomous technology can improve efficiency, safety and environmental performance in cargo handling while supporting workers. The airport leads the wider Stargate consortium, which is testing sustainability measures across the airport system.