Aeroporti di Roma (ADR) – a Corporate Partner of the FTE Digital, Innovation & Startup Hub – strongly believes that innovation is a key leverage to shape the airport of the future. Moreover, collaboration is essential for fostering a robust ecosystem within the aviation sector and enhancing operational efficiency. In this interview ahead of his participation at FTE APEX Asia Expo, taking place in Singapore on 19-20 November 2024, Giovanni Gennaro, Head of Open Innovation, Aeroporti di Roma, discusses the ‘Airports for Innovation’ network, ADR’s ‘Open Innovation’ model, and much more.
Explore the full FTE APEX Asia Expo 2024 schedule at a glance >>
Register for FTE APEX Asia Expo 2024 >>
Gennaro is speaking in ‘The Airport Innovation Summit’ at FTE APEX Asia Expo, with a presentation titled ‘How a unique innovation culture and mindset has helped to establish Aeroporti di Roma as one of the innovation leaders in the global airport industry’. He will share how ADR established a partnership with key industry players and launched the groundbreaking ‘Airports for Innovation’ network. “The network is composed of 10 leading airports worldwide: ADR, Aena, Dallas, Munich, Nice, Athens, Vancouver, Narita, Oman and Dubai,” Gennaro explains. “This network is designed to forge strategic alliances with airports globally, aiming to test and implement cutting-edge solutions across multiple hubs simultaneously. To do so, we launched on 12 September the first ever joint ‘Call for Startups’ of the aviation industry. This initiative embodies our strategic focus on harnessing collective expertise to address common challenges in the aviation sector and facilitate the adoption of innovative solutions across the industry.”
ADR’s people are at the core of its ‘Open Innovation’ model. Indeed, its Innovation Cabin Crew is a team of 30 ADR colleagues coming from different business units and subsidiaries. “They play a pivotal role in mentoring and supporting startups, guiding them through development and testing, while simultaneously driving innovation within their own teams,” says Gennaro. “In 2024, our HR team launched an ‘Innovation Engagement’ training program aimed at fostering a culture of innovation involving the entire company – around 4,000 employees. Finally, with HR we introduced the ‘Hangar Program’, an internal entrepreneurship initiative designed to encourage creative problem-solving from within our organisation. Together, these initiatives demonstrate ADR’s dedication to driving innovation and enhancing the aviation experience.”
Revolutionising airport operations and elevating the passenger experience
ADR’s primary focus is to revolutionise airport operations and elevate the passenger experience. Indeed, it has tested three autonomous wheelchairs, directly involving passengers with mobility issues. “Additionally, we developed a smart boarding solution that is currently operational inside Rome Fiumicino Airport, streamlining the boarding process to offer our passengers a real-time view of their boarding status,” Gennaro explains. “When it comes to operational efficiency, we have implemented a real-time monitoring dashboard to track runway throughput and aircraft movements, enhancing operational oversight. Finally, we tested Artificial Intelligence (AI) to increase the efficiency of security checks while identifying prohibited items in hand luggage.”
Robotics, AI and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies are a key focus for ADR. It is, for example, testing a startup that integrates AI and Machine Learning algorithms with Edge IoT devices to monitor and control machinery, enabling predictive maintenance across a variety of industrial applications. “By analysing acoustic emissions and other machine parameters gathered by IoT Edge devices, we aim to optimise machine performance, reduce operating costs, and improve maintenance processes,” says Gennaro.
At the same time, ADR is testing an autonomous robot specifically designed for bathroom cleaning that can thoroughly clean an entire bathroom in a very short time.
Looking ahead, Gennaro is eager to participate at FTE APEX Asia Expo. “Events like this are crucial for engaging with other innovators in the industry and exchanging ideas on how to tackle future challenges. It’s a unique opportunity to share ADR’s experiences and the successes we’ve achieved, while also exploring new collaborations that can accelerate the development of innovative solutions. In a fast-paced, global industry like aviation, networking with professionals who share our vision is essential to maintaining our leadership in innovation and continuing to improve both operational efficiency and the passenger experience.”
Explore the full FTE APEX Asia Expo 2024 schedule at a glance >>
Register for FTE APEX Asia Expo 2024 >>
