dnata adds 27 accessibility vehicles at Dubai International

dnata has deployed three new high-capacity ambulifts and 24 customized accessibility buggies at Dubai International Airport (DXB), expanding a ground-handling operation that already assists approximately 2 million passengers requiring mobility support each year.

The ground handler announced the investment alongside trials of autonomous wheelchair technology, positioning itself within an accessibility services segment that is under growing regulatory pressure worldwide. The new ambulifts (vehicles that lift passengers with reduced mobility between terminal and aircraft door) feature improved stabilization systems, enhanced cabin ergonomics and greater lift precision for transfers during boarding and disembarkation.

The 24 accessibility buggies accommodate a range of mobility needs, including passengers traveling with personal mobility aids. dnata has also introduced three sets of stackable, battery-operated wheelchairs designed to improve operational efficiency through compact storage and easier deployment, while providing powered assistance for longer journeys through airport terminals.

The company is additionally trialing autonomous wheelchair systems that could eventually give passengers greater independence when navigating airport environments. No deployment timeline or certification pathway for the autonomous units was disclosed.

What does this change for passengers and operators?

For passengers, the near-term change is capacity and equipment quality. Three new ambulifts and 24 buggies increase the handler's ability to move assisted passengers at DXB, one of the world's busiest international hubs, where demand for mobility assistance continues to grow alongside an aging traveling population in key markets.

For airport operators and airline customers, the investment addresses a persistent service bottleneck. Assisted-passenger transfers are a scheduled dependency in aircraft turnaround, and equipment shortages directly delay departures. Electric, stackable wheelchairs reduce storage footprint and deployment time in congested terminals.

The autonomous wheelchair trial remains at the exploratory stage. dnata did not specify whether the trial involves live passenger transport or closed-course testing, and no certification framework for such systems at DXB has been announced.

Jaffar Dawood, divisional senior vice president for UAE airport operations at dnata, said: "At dnata, we are supporting that vision by investing in the people, equipment and technology that make airport journeys more accessible, while working closely with the wider airport community to deliver a more equitable and inclusive travel experience."

Training and organizational restructuring

Beyond hardware, dnata has expanded training for frontline personnel, including dedicated instruction on supporting passengers with non-visible disabilities (conditions such as autism, dementia or hearing impairment that are not immediately apparent). More than 3,500 employees have completed the training.

The company has renamed its Special Handling department to Accessible Travel, a change that reflects a broader approach to passenger assistance extending beyond wheelchair services. The rebranding aligns with industry moves toward service models that treat accessibility as a continuous offering rather than a request-based exception.

AccessAbilities Expo 2026

dnata is presenting the equipment upgrades and technology initiatives at AccessAbilities Expo 2026, where the company is engaging with accessibility specialists and technology providers to explore future mobility solutions. The expo appearance signals that the current deployment is part of a longer equipment and technology roadmap rather than a completed program.

The company disclosed no total investment figure for the fleet expansion and no passenger-satisfaction or service-reliability metrics tied to the new equipment. Competing handlers at DXB have not announced comparable autonomous wheelchair trials, giving dnata an early mover position in the Gulf region should the technology progress to operational use.