Coventry-based technology company Aurrigo International has obtained a licence to carry out ground handling services at East Midlands Airport (EMA) as part of an ongoing autonomous vehicle trial.
The licence, issued under the Airports (Ground Handling) Regulations 1997, permits the company to handle cargo operations on behalf of UPS using its self-driving vehicles.
Under the trial, Aurrigo will operate two of its Auto-Cargo vehicles and one Auto-Shuttle, working alongside airport personnel and providing support within EMA’s existing ground handling framework.
Aurrigo is permitted to operate the vehicles at East Midlands Airport until 30 June 2026.
“No commercial contracts are in place with airlines or cargo operators at EMA but talks about extending activities beyond that date are ongoing,” Dr Richard Fairchild, Chief Operations Officer at Aurrigo, told Zag Daily.
Aurrigo’s Auto-Cargo and Auto-Shuttle platforms are designed to move freight, baggage and passengers airside. Last year, the Auto-Cargo vehicle was trialled at EMA to transport cargo loads of up to 16,500 kilograms.
The development follows a series of milestones for Aurrigo. In September 2025, the company raised over £14 million to scale its autonomous airport technology, securing just under £10 million from Next Gen Mobility alongside contributions from existing and new investors. The funds are being used to expand production across the seven airports it currently operates in, including Amsterdam Schiphol and Zurich Airport.
Aurrigo, which has offices in Singapore, Cincinnati and Ottawa, has also announced a global pilot partnership with ground handler Swissport at Zurich Airport.
The company says it intends to seek ground handling licences at further locations in support of broader deployment of its automated baggage and cargo handling solutions.
