Hili is fully autonomous from take-off to landing, and offers payload capacity of up to 250 kilograms , and travel distances up to 700 km. (Image source: LODD Autonomous)

At the 2025 Dubai Airshow, Emirates SkyCargo and Abu Dhabi-based LODD Autonomous signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore the development and deployment of next-generation air cargo solutions

The MoU was formalised by Badr Abbas, divisional senior vice-president, Emirates SkyCargo, and Rashid Al Manai, CEO, LODD Autonomous.

Under the agreement, the two companies will validate the use of VTOL (Vertical Take-Off and Landing) aircraft across Emirates SkyCargo’s global network. Activities include feasibility studies, regulatory engagement, and live demonstrations. Leveraging four decades of logistics expertise, Emirates SkyCargo will participate in LODD’s experimental operations through 2027, providing insight to guide design and development toward potential commercial deployment in regional and global markets.

The collaboration follows LODD’s successful first test flight of Hili, a fully autonomous hybrid heavy-lift cargo aircraft capable of carrying up to 250 kilograms over distances of 700 km. Emirates SkyCargo is evaluating Hili for integration into its ground fleet to optimise operations across its dual airport hub.

“This partnership with LODD is a reflection of our commitment to introduce innovative products that solve our customer’s transportation challenges. Emerging technologies will form the foundation of the next era of logistics, and Emirates SkyCargo will be at the forefront of this movement, investing our experience and expertise into the development of innovations that drive tangible impact. We look forward to collaborating with LODD to explore the potential development and deployment of this UAE-built technology,” stated Badr Abbas.

Rashid Mattar Al Manai added, “The UAE’s vision is built on harnessing innovation to propel everyday life forward. Our collaboration with Emirates SkyCargo blends LODD Autonomous’s frontier technologies with the country’s enduring commitment to safe, scalable, and sustainable logistics. Together, we will accelerate the adoption of drone-powered solutions that expand reach, cut delivery times, and strengthen the UAE’s position as a global logistics hub while upholding the highest standards of safety and regulatory excellence.”

Emirates SkyCargo has long prioritised advancing the logistics ecosystem. Operating to over 150 destinations with a widebody fleet exceeding 260 aircraft, the airline has consistently set new benchmarks in global logistics. Earlier this year, it launched Emirates Courier Express, a door-to-door delivery service that merges its cargo division’s logistics expertise with the passenger fleet network.

LODD is transforming civilian logistics through state-of-the-art unmanned and autonomous aerial vehicles and AI-enabled software that simplify operations, reduce costs, improve sustainability, and accelerate deliveries. Supported by the Advanced Technology Research Council, Hili exemplifies the UAE’s national commitment to investing in technology ecosystems—from strategy and research to real-world application.

The EU’s Vision Zero initiative, aiming for zero fatalities and serious injuries on European roads by 2050, has brought road safety into sharp focus.

While infrastructure improvements and driver training remain important, the spotlight has shifted to standardising vehicle safety technology. This is the aim of the EU General Safety Regulation (GSR), a comprehensive framework mandating advanced safety features in new vehicles.

For Europe’s largest asset-based logistics company, Girteka, the results are already evident. The GSR was introduced to tackle the human error factor, which accounts for up to 90% of road accidents, and to make vehicles safer for both occupants and Vulnerable Road Users (VRUs) such as pedestrians and cyclists. Its phased implementation began in July 2022 for new vehicle types with basic advanced systems, progressing to all new registrations in July 2024, requiring a full suite of eight mandatory Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) on trucks and buses, including blind spot detection, advanced emergency braking (AEB), lane-keeping assistance, intelligent speed assistance, and driver fatigue monitoring.

Eurostat reports that in 2024 there were over 4 million goods vehicles registered in the EU, with vehicles over 30 tonnes completing 83.1% of total freight transport in tonne-kilometres. HGVs under two years old accounted for 20.2% of road freight, highlighting the sector’s rapid fleet renewal. Manufacturers including Volvo, Scania, Mercedes-Benz, DAF, and MAN have embraced the regulations, incorporating ADAS technologies that were previously optional.

Real-world impact

Scania noted that its trucks already had “most of the required safety assistance technology,” while DAF and Volvo confirmed compliance and projected further advancements in active safety technology. Anna Wrige Berling, Traffic and Product Safety Director at Volvo Trucks, said, “Looking further ahead, trucks will become more intelligent and more active when it comes to safety, with more features that intervene rather than just inform,” emphasising that drivers remain “the most important safety system in the truck.”

Girteka’s experience demonstrates the real-world impact of these regulations. Since July 2024, the company has added over 2,400 GSR-compliant trucks to its fleet, with plans for up to 8,000 more by 2026. Internal data shows a 10% reduction in accidents within a year, particularly in low-speed manoeuvres, small collisions, and blind spot incidents, the very scenarios the new ADAS technologies were designed to address.

Dainius Augutis, Transport Function & Support Department Manager at Girteka, said, “The EU's GSR is a powerful market signal that pushes safety technology from a premium add-on to a universal standard. The collaboration between fleet owners like Girteka, who provide the data and demand, and manufacturers, who provide the engineering, is what makes Vision Zero achievable.”

Beyond metrics, the human impact is profound. Drivers benefit from safer conditions and lower stress, communities face reduced risks, and clients experience fewer disruptions. By combining regulation, advanced technology, and comprehensive driver training, Girteka shows that safety excellence is inseparable from operational excellence. The company’s results underline that well-designed regulations and proactive fleet investment can accelerate safety innovation, offering a blueprint for the future of safer, smarter logistics across Europe.

The UAE is steadily advancing its sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) ambitions, with policymakers signalling that a voluntary 1% blend requirement may soon give way to a mandatory target.

The shift reflects the country’s intention to accelerate the adoption of cleaner fuels as part of its wider SAF roadmap, a cornerstone of national decarbonisation efforts for the aviation sector.

During an Airbus event at the opening of the Dubai Airshow, Sharif Al Olama, undersecretary for energy and petroleum affairs at the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, said that a full economic assessment now underway will shape future regulation.

This review, expected to be completed within the next year, will determine whether the UAE formalises a compulsory blending mandate. He noted the urgency of progress, emphasising that “we in the UAE have the power to drive this at a global scale.”

The coming months will see intensified coordination between major aviation stakeholders. Al Olama confirmed that he will meet representatives from Abu Dhabi Airport, Dubai Airport, Etihad Airways, and Emirates to discuss timelines for moving to what he described as the “next phase” of implementation.

Attracting capital

Feedback from these entities, he said, has so far been encouraging, with the SAF and LCAF Committee already facilitating discussions between producers and fuel offtakers.

Al Olama believes the UAE’s position as an investment hub gives it a unique advantage in scaling up SAF deployment.

The country’s ability to attract capital, provide financing, and maintain a streamlined regulatory environment has long underpinned its success in major energy transition projects.

He also pointed to global examples, such as a Hong Kong initiative that converts airport waste into SAF, as models that can be adapted for the UAE’s larger and more interconnected aviation ecosystem.

Beyond infrastructure and investment, government agility remains a central factor in the roadmap’s momentum.

The UAE has repeatedly demonstrated that policy frameworks can be developed and enacted at speed, supporting emerging technologies and sustainability-focused industries.

In this case, officials see an opportunity not just to meet international expectations but to shape them, positioning the UAE as a leader in low-carbon aviation.

Maryam Ali AlBalooshi, environment manager at the General Civil Aviation Authority, underscored the pressure to achieve meaningful progress by 2028.

She said the UAE is “trying to build our model in a different way,” adding that while policies and strategies are already in place, several supporting elements are still evolving. 

At Dubai Airshow 2025, sustainability stepped firmly into the spotlight as three of Dubai’s leading aviation figures unveiled an initiative poised to redefine how the industry approaches environmental responsibility.

Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, Steve Allen, CEO of dnata and Ghaith Al Ghaith, CEO of flydubai came together to introduce the world’s first Sustainability Showcase, a groundbreaking demonstration of how a fully sustainable aircraft turnaround can be achieved through innovation, technology and cross-sector collaboration.

More than a display of equipment, the showcase presents a complete reimagining of what an aircraft turnaround can look like when every component is optimised for environmental performance. Conceived by Dubai Airports, dnata and flydubai in partnership with more than 30 industry collaborators, the project offers a tangible snapshot of aviation’s journey towards net zero. From advanced electric ground support equipment to energy-efficient operational processes, the Showcase demonstrates how coordinated industry action can drive meaningful, measurable progress.

Visitors to Dubai Airshow are invited to walk through the Sustainability Showcase themselves, with guided tours hosted daily by Dubai Airports. Running from 10 AM to 1 PM between 17 and 21 November at the Dubai Airshow Site in the Static Park, the experience gives attendees a close look at the technologies and solutions shaping the future of greener aviation. No pre-booking is required, ensuring accessibility for all.

For Paul Griffiths, the Showcase represents both a milestone and a message. “Dubai Airshow has long been a global stage for innovation, and this year’s theme, ‘The Future is Here’, perfectly captures the spirit of what we’re unveiling,” he said. “The world’s first Sustainable Turnaround Showcase is a real-world example of progress in action and symbolises what can be achieved when we align ambition with collaboration. Sustainability is not an individual pursuit – it is a shared responsibility.”

That philosophy is echoed by Steve Allen, who emphasises the importance of partnership and technology in accelerating change. “We’re proud to present the latest generation of our advanced ground support equipment fleet in a unique display,” he said. “Our approach is clear: green first. Innovation and sustainability advance together.”

For Ghaith Al Ghaith, the initiative reinforces the airline’s role within the oneDXB alliance and its long-term sustainability goals. “A sustainable future is a shared goal, one that requires collaboration, innovation and collective action,” he said. “Together with our partners, we are focused on exploring how investing in technology and operational efficiency can support a greener tomorrow.”