Airports For Innovation announces open recruitment of startups from all over the world

In May 2021, Aena and Aeroporti di Roma signed a Memorandum of Understanding to create the Airports for Innovation (A4I) network aimed at sharing technology initiatives and digital solutions that improve the guest experience at airports.

Athens, Nice, Côte d’Azur, Dallas, Fort Worth, Vancouver, Flughafen München, Dubai International (DXB), Oman Airports and Narita Airport joined the network at various dates, making A4I a truly global network, connecting ten of the world’s leading airport groups.

The A4I initiative has three main goals: designing innovative solutions to transform and improve the passenger experience, supporting the implementation of technologies and common solutions that will make life easier for travellers when using any airport in the network, and proposing and testing effective models that could be standardized and adopted in the long term by the entire aviation community.

A4I now presents its first initiative: an open innovation program to attract new innovative solutions. Today, an open call for proposals with high technological or innovation value from the startup ecosystem was launched.

The call is open to startups from anywhere in the world, provided they were founded between January 1st and^saint2014 and December 31^saint2022 and we have technologies and solutions that can add value to the network in each of the four proposed challenges:

Hassle-free travelThe A4I Network’s “Seamless Travel Experience” challenge seeks innovative solutions that will enhance the overall passenger journey by leveraging digital technologies and cutting-edge services. This involves creating a travel experience that is seamless, efficient and highly customer-centric, from booking a flight to arriving at the destination.

Sustainable aviationThe Sustainable Aviation Challenge focuses on finding solutions that make airports more sustainable and reduce their environmental impact. Through this challenge, A4I aims to promote solutions that prepare airports for the transition to Net Zero aviation.

The Smart Luggage Revolution. The Smart Luggage Revolution Challenge focuses on reimagining and innovating the integration of luggage into travel. The challenge involves developing luggage solutions that go beyond technological advances to improve convenience, safety and sustainability for travelers.

AI-Powered AirportsThe AI-Powered Airports Challenge aims to find applications of AI to improve operational efficiency, passenger experience and overall aviation management.

Selected startups will have the opportunity to pilot their solution in a real airport environment and increase their international reach: they will have to verify their solution with at least two airport operators belonging to the network.

Interested startups should submit their proposals via the official A4I website: