Glasgow Airport has partnered with innovation accelerator Connected Places Catapult to create the UK’s first ‘Connected Airport Living Lab’. The multi-year partnership will produce a series of demonstrations and trials of innovative technologies at the airport as it continues to regrow passenger numbers in tandem with delivering on the commitments outlined in its Sustainability Strategy.
This partnership 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 accelerate decarbonisation of ground and air operations, including the electrification of flight, the use of hydrogen, automation data analytics and multi modal connected surface-level access.
“New technologies have the power to transform the experience of everyone who interacts with the airport,” said Andy Cliffe, Chief Executive Officer of AGS Airports, which owns Glasgow Airport. “As passenger numbers continue to 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.”
The partnership will also support existing collaborations in the region, including the airport and Catapult’s ongoing involvement with CAELUS (Care & Equity – Healthcare Logistics UAS Scotland), which is working with NHS Scotland to build the first national drone network that can transport essential medicines, bloods and other medical supplies throughout Scotland, including to remote communities.
Central to the ‘Connected Airport Living Lab’ is a holistic vision of the airport as a highly innovative net zero place, that plays an important part in developing the city-region’s skills-base and full economic potential.
“Airports are changing from being just transport hubs on the edge of cities, to becoming hives of innovative economic activity,” said Paul Wilson, CBO, Connected Places Catapult. “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.”
