Glasgow Airport will fly flag for new technology
Glasgow Airport will be the first in the UK to help develop innovative technologies to improve the aviation sector.
The Paisley airport this week announced a new multi-year partnership with Connected Places Catapult.
It is billed as the UK’s innovation accelerator for cities, transport, and place leadership.
And the aim is to create the UK’s first Connected Airport Living Lab.
The partnership will produce a series of demonstrations and trials of technologies at the airport.
The ambitious project will run as the transport hub continues to regrow passenger numbers in tandem with delivering on the commitments outlined in its Sustainability Strategy. The project will put Glasgow Airport at the heart of testing a diverse range of innovations aimed at addressing challenges facing the aviation sector.
The ‘Connected Airport Living Lab’ will play host to technologies, systems and processes designed to enhance passenger experience and freight management.
It aims to boost productivity and will accelerate decarbonisation of ground and air operations.
This will include the electrification of flight, the use of hydrogen, automation data analytics and multi-model connected surface-level access.
The partnership will also support existing collaborations in the region.
And it will include the airport and Catapult’s ongoing involvement with CAELUS (Care & Equity – Healthcare Logistics UAS Scotland).
This scheme is working with NHS Scotland to build the first national drone network that can transport essential medicines, bloods and other medical supplies throughout Scotland.
The Catapult is directing millions of pounds of Innovate UK funding into the collaboration, which sees Glasgow Airport named as the UK’s first Connected Airport Living Lab.
The five-year partnership will pioneer the approach and plans are in place to roll out the model to other airports as it succeeds.
Andy Cliffe, chief executive officer of AGS Airports, which owns Glasgow Airport, said: “New technologies have the power to transform the experience of everyone who interacts with the airport. As passenger numbers recover after the pandemic, we want to develop a more inclusive passenger experience.
“And as Scotland’s largest cargo airport by freight value, there is an opportunity to grow the volume of imports and exports moving through Glasgow.
“With those opportunities, making Glasgow Airport the UK’s first Connected Airport Living Lab will put us at the forefront of new developments that can make journeys and freight movements smoother.
“This partnership also aligns with our own sustainability commitments to balance the undoubted economic and social benefits the airport delivers with our climate change responsibilities.”
Paul Wilson, CBO at Connected Places Catapult, added: “Airports are changing from being just transport hubs on the edge of cities, to becoming hives of innovative economic activity.
“As such, they have huge potential to support skills development, job creation and regional growth.
“By establishing the Connected Airport Living Lab at Glasgow Airport we are concentrating our efforts to support innovation that is truly inclusive, delivering direct benefits to people and businesses in the region.
“We will also continue our work alongside the city council and with stakeholders across the city region, such as the Universities and the Chamber of Commerce, to deliver tangible benefits for all.”
Becoming UK’s first Connected Airport Living Lab will put us at the forefront of new developments