Emirates SkyCargo, LODD Autonomous Forge New Era of Drone-Powered Cargo Logistics
In a landmark move signalling the future of global logistics, Emirates SkyCargo and Abu Dhabi-based LODD Autonomous have signed a MoU at the 2025 Dubai Airshow.
The collaboration aims to explore, test, and validate advanced drone-powered cargo solutions, including VTOL (Vertical Take-Off and Landing) aircraft, across Emirates SkyCargo’s expansive global network.
The agreement was formalised by Badr Abbas, Divisional Senior Vice President, Emirates SkyCargo, and Rashid Al Manai, CEO of LODD Autonomous.
Emirates Group Showcases Collaborative Sustainable Aviation Initiatives
This partnership aligns with the UAE’s broader ambition to integrate frontier technologies into commercial aviation and logistics.
Harnessing Autonomous Technology for Commercial Cargo
Under the MoU, Emirates SkyCargo will work closely with LODD Autonomous through 2027, contributing operational insights, logistical expertise, and real-world testing conditions.
The focus will be on regulatory coordination, feasibility studies, and live demonstrations that could unlock drone-powered solutions for regional and international cargo operations.
This alliance comes on the heels of LODD’s successful first test flight of Hili—a heavy-lift, fully autonomous, hybrid VTOL aircraft capable of carrying up to 250 kg over 700 km.
Built and engineered in Abu Dhabi, Hili promises a transformative impact: from reducing delivery times to enabling cost-efficient, point-to-point cargo movement across dual-airport hubs like Dubai.
Emirates SkyCargo is evaluating the potential inclusion of Hili in its ground operations fleet, signalling a significant shift toward automation-driven cargo management.
Leaders Speak: Innovation at the Core
Badr Abbas emphasised Emirates SkyCargo’s commitment to future-ready solutions: “Emerging technologies will define the next era of logistics. Our partnership with LODD reflects our focus on solving customer challenges through innovation.
"We are committed to shaping the future of cargo movement by investing our experience into developing technologies with real-world impact.”
Rashid Mattar Al Manai highlighted the UAE’s innovation-driven vision: “This collaboration blends LODD’s frontier technologies with the UAE’s commitment to safe, scalable, sustainable logistics.
"Together, we will accelerate drone-powered solutions that cut delivery times and reinforce the UAE as a global logistics hub.”
Strengthening the UAE’s Position as a Logistics Powerhouse
Emirates SkyCargo’s global influence—spanning over 150 destinations with a widebody fleet of 260+ aircraft—positions it uniquely to validate and scale next-generation cargo technologies.
From pioneering cold-chain solutions to recently launching Emirates Courier Express, the airline continues to break traditional boundaries in end-to-end logistics.
For LODD Autonomous, supported by the Advanced Technology Research Council, the partnership is a major milestone. It serves as proof of the UAE’s robust ecosystem for innovation—from R&D to commercial deployment.
The integration of autonomous aerial vehicles and AI-driven logistics software underlines the country’s ambition to lead the future of civilian cargo movement.
Conclusion: A New Chapter for Global Cargo Mobility
The Emirates SkyCargo–LODD Autonomous partnership is more than a technology trial—it is a bold vision for how goods will move across borders in the coming decades.
By merging Emirates’ global operational strength with LODD’s cutting-edge autonomous technology, the UAE is positioning itself at the forefront of an emerging logistics revolution.
From reducing environmental impact to enabling unprecedented delivery efficiency, this collaboration could reshape the very architecture of global cargo.
As testing progresses and the Hili platform matures, the world may soon witness the dawn of fully autonomous, hybrid VTOL-driven commercial logistics—led proudly by the UAE.
Read More: Emirates Extrusion Factory to Launch UAE’s First Zero-Waste Green Curtain Wall System
