Future Travel Experience (FTE) and nlmtd (Unlimited) are delighted to announce that Schiphol Group – a Corporate Partner of the FTE Digital, Innovation & Startup Hub – has become the latest member of the pioneering FTE Smart Ramp program, joining International Airlines Group (IAG) and Miami International Airport (MIA) as first-movers.
Smart Ramp is the latest initiative as part of the groundbreaking FTE Accelerating Collaboration & Engagement (ACE) platform launched in partnership with innovation consultancy nlmtd. ACE is dedicated to driving real collaborative action among stakeholders, facilitating fast progress and dynamic change in key areas of the aviation industry which are rife for transformation.
The focus on Smart Ramp operations has the ultimate goal that aircraft turnaround can be achieved autonomously and more efficiently. A phased approach will assess which solutions truly work by each member testing new technologies, while incorporating requirements from the other participants. The program will support startups and introduce new suppliers not yet active in aviation, forging paths together on how to overcome hurdles while also exploring the potential for shared investments in the future.
Results of the innovations will be shared with respective experts, industry bodies and regulators, meaning the outcomes can be used to create recommended practices and standards in the industry.
“FTE is passionate that effective collaboration is the key to our industry making great strides forward and the ACE platform is creating a level of collaboration between stakeholders that has arguably never been seen before,” says Daniel Coleman, Founder & CEO, Future Travel Experience. “I am very proud that Schiphol Group shares this vision and is the second airport operator to sign up to the Smart Ramp program. Alongside IAG and MIA, they are true first-movers, with a pioneering mindset that is perfectly aligned with the principles of ACE. We will get there much faster if we tackle transformation collectively and FTE is committed to bringing the industry together to move forward.”
Schiphol is on an impressive transformation journey, with robotics and automation at the forefront. In addition to joining Smart Ramp, it is also a driving force behind the first ACE effort – BOOST – focused on baggage innovation, as a spin-off of the FTE Baggage Innovation Working Group. Schiphol has already seen significant progress in its BOOST Proof of Concept with automated loading solutions. On the ramp, Schiphol is aiming for “the Moon and Mars” with its ambition for a fully autonomous airside operation by 2050 and membership of the Smart Ramp program is a natural extension of these efforts.
“We are thrilled to join the FTE Smart Ramp program,” says Rosina Kotey, Innovation Lead, Schiphol Group. “An innovation mindset is crucial, and we immensely value the opportunity to collaborate with like-minded airports, airlines and other key innovators. At Schiphol, we strive to push the boundaries with emerging technologies, new approaches, and disruptive innovation. The Smart Ramp program’s emphasis on hands-on execution and rapid implementation of new technologies perfectly aligns with our own innovation strategy, and we very much look forward to helping shape the autonomous ‘Smart Ramp’ of the future.”
Manuel van Lijf, Director Aviation Innovation, nlmtd, adds: “We are delighted with the global industry response to the launch of the Smart Ramp program. Welcoming a major, progressive airport operator in Schiphol Group, alongside existing members IAG and MIA, demonstrates the potential of this collaborative initiative, which will drive transformation that just wouldn’t be possible otherwise. With its ambitious plans to achieve a fully autonomous airside operation by 2050, Schiphol will undoubtedly make a vital contribution to our ‘Smart Ramp’ efforts. This is just the beginning, and we look forward to announcing a host of new members in the coming months.”
For more information on the FTE Accelerating Collaboration & Engagement (ACE) platform, the Smart Ramp program, and how to get involved, click here.
