Stargate Programme Supports Autonomous Cargo Vehicle Trial at Brussels Airport
(IN SHORT) Brussels Airport is trialling an autonomous electric tow tractor for cargo trailer transport within its cargo zone, marking the first real-life test of autonomous cargo transport at a Belgian airport. The pilot is part of the European Stargate programme and is being carried out with WFS Cargo and Charlatte Autonom, a partnership between Charlatte Manutention and Navya Mobility. The vehicle is being tested on four predefined routes between cargo warehouses and airport operational zones, including movements between warehouses and aprons, with the aim of assessing how autonomous technologies can improve efficiency, safety and sustainability in cargo operations. The tow tractor uses satellite navigation, laser sensors and autonomous driving software developed by Navya Mobility, operates at a maximum autonomous speed of 12 km/h, can tow up to four cargo trailers, and is supervised at all times by a trained operator on board during the trial. The project will help Brussels Airport and its partners evaluate the conditions needed for wider deployment while contributing insights to the Stargate consortium, which is led by Brussels Airport and includes 22 partners working on sustainable aviation solutions.
(PRESS RELEASE) BRUSSELS, Belgium, 2026-Aug-24 — /Travel PR News/ — Brussels Airport has begun testing an autonomous electric tow tractor for the transport of cargo trailers within its cargo zone, marking the first real-life trial of autonomous cargo transport at a Belgian airport.
The pilot project is being conducted as part of the European Stargate programme and is being carried out in collaboration with WFS Cargo and Charlatte Autonom, a partnership between Charlatte Manutention and Navya Mobility.
The objective is to assess how autonomous technology can support more efficient, safer and more sustainable cargo operations at the airport.
Safety remains a central priority throughout the trial.
The project is taking place within a strictly controlled operational framework, with a trained operator permanently present on board the vehicle and able to intervene immediately if required.
In 2024, Brussels Airport examined the potential use of a self-driving shuttle for staff transport at the airport.
The new pilot shifts the focus to cargo handling, testing an autonomous electric tow tractor on predefined routes in the cargo area between warehouses and aprons.
During the trial, the vehicle operates on routes that include movements from the tarmac to a cargo warehouse.
The project is designed to validate how the technology can be integrated into real airport cargo operations.
It will also help further adapt the system to the specific characteristics of an airport logistics environment and identify the requirements for possible larger-scale deployment.
The pilot will examine how autonomous systems can optimise the movement of cargo trailers between warehouses and operational airport zones.
The aim is to make these flows more efficient and sustainable while supporting cargo teams in their daily work.
Arnaud Feist, CEO of Brussels Airport, said the airport continues to explore innovative and sustainable solutions that can bring practical benefits to cargo operations.
He said the aviation and logistics sectors are changing rapidly, and that the project will provide valuable insight into the potential of autonomous technologies.
Feist added that the trial will help assess what such technologies can deliver in terms of efficiency and sustainability, while keeping people central to operations and maintaining the highest safety standards.
Trials under controlled conditions
The autonomous tow tractor uses satellite navigation systems and laser sensors to detect its surroundings and identify obstacles.
Its autonomous driving software, developed by Navya Mobility, is designed to maintain the vehicle’s trajectory and navigation in a busy mixed-traffic environment.
The vehicle carries the CE marking in compliance with the Machinery Directive, confirming that it meets applicable safety requirements for its operation.
During this phase, the tow tractor operates only on predefined routes.
Four routes are being used during the current test phase.
A trained operator remains on board at all times to supervise the vehicle and intervene if needed.
When operating in autonomous mode, the vehicle’s speed is limited to 12 km/h.
The trials are being conducted during off-peak hours and under strictly controlled conditions.
One test scenario involves transporting cargo between warehouses and aprons to evaluate how the autonomous tow tractor performs in real-life airport cargo situations.
During the trials, the vehicle can tow up to four cargo trailers.
Jean-Claude Bailly, CEO of Navya Mobility, said the project with Brussels Airport again demonstrates the expertise of Charlatte Manutention and Navya Mobility in deploying autonomous mobility solutions in complex airport environments.
He said safety and reliability are central to the design of the companies’ products.
Bailly added that the technology enables fully autonomous operation without an operator on board when regulatory conditions allow.
He said the project demonstrates the ability to provide practical, safe and reliable autonomous solutions adapted to the realities of cargo operations.
Partnership for innovation and sustainability
The autonomous vehicle combines a logistics platform developed by Charlatte Manutention with Navya Mobility’s autonomous driving system.
These capabilities are brought together through Charlatte Autonom, a joint venture specialising in autonomous mobility for industrial and airport environments.
The trials are being conducted with WFS Cargo, one of the cargo operators at Brussels Airport.
Several WFS operators are currently being trained to work safely with the autonomous tow tractor.
The partners aim to show how smart technologies can improve airport operations while preserving the highest safety standards.
The autonomous tow tractor trial is part of Stargate, a European programme selected by the European Commission to develop and test solutions for more sustainable aviation.
Brussels Airport leads the Stargate programme and works with a consortium of 22 partners, including three European airports and several airlines.
As with other Stargate projects, the findings from the autonomous cargo transport pilot will be shared with the European consortium.
The lessons learned are expected to help support the development of innovative and sustainable solutions for the aviation sector.
Brussels Airport
Brussels Airport is one of the most important airports in Europe. In 2025, Brussels Airport welcomed 24.4 million passengers and transported 795,000 tonnes of cargo through the airport. Brussels Airport caters for the specific needs of business travellers and holidaymakers alike, on both intra-European and long haul flights. In 2026, the airport offers direct connections between Belgium and 205 destinations worldwide, with flights operated by 83 airlines.
The airport also offers a leading cargo platform, specialised in the transport of pharmaceutical products, perishable goods, e-commerce and live animals. Brussels Airport is the most important pharmaceutical hub in Europe.
With its SHIFT 2027 strategy Brussels Airport Company intends to strengthen its position as a major European hub, accelerate its ambitious sustainability goals, e.g. through the European Green Deal project Stargate, and continue to diversify its activities by focusing on innovation and cooperation.
Brussels Airport is the second most important economic engine in Belgium, good for 64,000 direct and indirect jobs and is owned and operated by Brussels Airport Company. The shareholders are a consortium between PMV and private investors (75%) and FPIM/SFPI (25%).
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