Aurrigo secures ground handling licence at East Midlands Airport

Aurrigo International has been granted a licence to provide Ground Handling Services at East Midlands Airport (EMA), strengthening its partnership with the cargo hub as it rolls out autonomous aviation technologies.

The Coventry-based company has secured the approval to support the deployment and integration of its autonomous ground service equipment (GSE). The licence enables Aurrigo to work directly within EMA’s ground handling framework, providing on-site, one-to-one support during implementation.

David Keene MBE, CEO of Aurrigo International, said the move was a key milestone in the company’s collaboration with the airport.

“Securing this licence is another important step in our partnership with East Midlands Airport,” he said. “We have deliberately sought this approval to make sure we can support our partners as closely as possible, operating fully within the airport’s ground handling framework.

“This means we can be on the ground, providing one-to-one support during the roll-out of our autonomous solutions, ensuring they are seamlessly integrated, compliant, and successful from the outset.”

Keene added that the partnership is helping shape the future of airside automation in the UK and internationally.

East Midlands Airport, the UK’s largest dedicated air cargo hub, has welcomed the development. Lauren Turner, Head of Airfield Operations at EMA, said: “We’re pleased to be working with Aurrigo on this innovative technology that could revolutionise the way goods and crews are moved around the airport.

“As the UK’s number one hub for dedicated air cargo, we’re always looking at ways to work smarter and ensure the operation is safe, efficient and fit for the future.”

The licence has been issued under the Airports (Ground Handling) Regulations 1997 and in accordance with the Civil Aviation Authority’s compliance framework under the Civil Aviation Act 2012, providing Aurrigo with the necessary approvals to deliver agreed ground handling services at the airport.