For the first time, some of the world’s leading airports have joined forces to launch an international initiative under the Airports for Innovation (A4I) network, an alliance created with the aim of promoting innovation and startups in the airport sector. This network, made up of 10 of the main airport operators, handles a flow of approximately 800 million passengers per year, which underlines the global impact of its initiatives.
A4I seeks to redefine the passenger experience with a more sustainable and technologically advanced approach. Today, this network presents its first major project: a Open innovation program aimed at startups from around the worldinviting them to collaborate in the development of innovative solutions for the airports of the future.
In May 2021, Aena and Aeroporti di Roma signed a Memorandum of Understanding to create the Airports for Innovation (A4I) network, with the aim of sharing technological initiatives and digital solutions that improve the passenger experience at airports. Since then, international airports such as Athens, Nice, Dallas Fort Worth, Vancouver, Munich, Dubai, Oman and Narita have joined the initiative, consolidating A4I as a global innovation network.
A4I focuses on three key goals: Design innovative solutions to improve the passenger experience, adopt technologies that facilitate transit through airports and test and standardize models that can be adopted in the long term by the entire aviation industry.
The open innovation program that A4I launches today It is aimed at startups founded between January 1, 2014 and December 31, 2022which can provide technological and creative solutions in four specific areas:
– Seamless travel experience: Solutions are sought that leverage digital technology to create a frictionless and highly customer-centric travel experience.
– Sustainable aviation: Innovations that reduce the environmental impact of airports and promote the transition to emission-free aviation.
– Revolution in smart luggage: Proposals that reimagine the integration of luggage into the travel experience, improving convenience, security and sustainability.
– AI-powered airports: Artificial intelligence applications that improve operational efficiency and passenger experience.
The selected startups will have the opportunity to test their solutions in a real airport environment and validate their proposal with at least two of the operators that are part of the network.
