International Airlines Group (IAG) – a Headline Partner of FTE EMEA and FTE Ancillary & Retailing, Dublin, 11-13 June 2024 – has launched the eighth edition of its Hangar 51 Accelerator programme, which comes after IAG updated its strategic priorities in its Capital Markets Day at the end of last year. Hangar 51 is looking for startups and scaleups that can help the Group to innovate and deliver in its transformation ambition, which underpins its strategy.
IAG has defined strategic areas including: Sustainability, Safe & Efficient Operations, Seamless & Experiential Airports, and End-to-End Customer Experience Enhancement. These areas reflect the Group’s intention to keep innovation activities as close to the core business as possible. The Group wants to generate a positive commercial impact from innovation and that is what makes Hangar 51 different to traditional accelerator programmes. In just a few weeks, companies will design and run a proof of value to assess the potential of their solutions. Joiners will be able to test their technology under operational conditions, working with experts across the Group.
Through the Hangar 51 Accelerator, the selected companies will:
- Work with airlines or operating companies on a proof of value, with the possibility of a commercial contract if successful.
- Gain a deep insight into aviation operations and develop their understanding of aviation customer needs and preferences.
- Benefit from introductions across the Group and the broader industry.
“We are looking forward to testing, learning, and delivering new solutions at scale, with a focus on speed and value,” said Annalisa Gigante, IAG’s Head of Innovation. “Startups are an important part of our journey, as we will reach our goals faster with their help and involvement. At IAG we believe that transformation will bring us in line with the industry, while innovation will enable us to leapfrog it. So, innovation is not an option. It is essential for our growth and our long-term success and will bring value to IAG and our airlines and teams.”
Through the Hangar 51 Accelerator, IAG’s open innovation focuses on addressing key challenges within the industry, including sustainability, operational efficiency, and customer-centric solutions. IAG is committed to decarbonisation and accelerating change towards a more sustainable industry by leveraging sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) solutions and optimising operational practices to minimise environmental impact.
Since launching the Hangar 51 Accelerator in 2016, IAG has partnered with around 80 participants. Now, the Group, in partnership with the global innovation platform Plug and Play, will welcome up to 15 participants to collaborate, learn, and grow together during the second half of the year. Applications for the eighth programme are now open. Startups and scaleups interested in working with IAG can visit the Hangar 51 website to learn more about the programme and submit their application. The last day to apply is 16 June 2024.
Hear more from International Airlines Group (IAG) at the co-located FTE EMEA and FTE Ancillary & Retailing events, taking place in Dublin on 11-13 June 2024. Harvey Tate, Human API – Digital Transformation, IAG, is speaking in a session focused on ‘What are the new technologies and approaches, that can make a transformational difference to the ways air transport stakeholders will operate in the future?’ He will deliver a presentation titled: ‘IAG is exploring a path to dark airport (fully autonomous) operations in the future, but how long might that take to achieve and what does it need to see from industry stakeholders to make such a vision a reality?’
Martin Thomas, Implementation Manager, Airports Automation, IAG Airports, will deliver a scene-setting presentation in ‘The FTE APEX Lounge Innovation Summit’ titled ‘The latest thinking on the way to develop, and run lounges, across the IAG group’.
Meanwhile, Annalisa Gigante, Board Member of Hangar 51 & Head of Innovation, IAG, is participating in the ‘Closing Leaders Keynote Session’ – a fast-moving and entertaining panel discussion on customer-centric innovation and business transformation.
View the FTE EMEA and FTE Ancillary & Retailing schedule at a glance >>
Register for FTE EMEA and FTE Ancillary & Retailing – one registration provides access to both events >>
