Future Travel Experience (FTE) and nlmtd (Unlimited) are delighted to announce that Royal Schiphol Group and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines – both Corporate Partners of the FTE Digital, Innovation & Startup Hub – are partnering in the pioneering FTE Smart Ramp program. They are joined by International Airlines Group, Miami International Airport, and All Nippon Airways as members of what is a truly global collaborative innovation initiative.
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 ripe 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 – we will get there much faster if we tackle transformation collectively and FTE is committed to bringing the sector together,” says Daniel Coleman, Founder & CEO, Future Travel Experience. “We are thrilled that Schiphol, one of Europe’s biggest airports, and its hub airline partner KLM are now joint members of Smart Ramp. Our first joint airport-airline membership is a perfect example of how the ACE platform is creating a level of collaboration between stakeholders that has arguably never been seen before. Royal Schiphol Group and KLM are true innovators, with robotics and automation at the forefront of their transformation journeys, and we look forward to seeing the results of the Smart Ramp Proof of Concepts they have planned throughout 2025.”
Rapid progress has been made since the launch of Smart Ramp and the innovation challenges already planned by members include some 20 projects across eight airports in 2025. Indeed, Royal Schiphol Group and KLM already have some exciting Smart Ramp projects in focus. These projects aim to develop and integrate automation and autonomy into the ramp operations to realise a seamless inbound flow. The objective is to reduce avoidable emissions and create better working circumstances for the groundcrew.
These initiatives build on a strong platform of collaboration between Royal Schiphol Group and KLM, including the recent deployment of a new electric, self-driving baggage vehicle as part of the collective vision for a smarter, more sustainable future in ground operations. On the ramp, Royal Schiphol Group is aiming for “Moon and Mars” with its ambition for a fully autonomous airside operation by 2050, supported by hub partner KLM, and their joint membership of the Smart Ramp program is a natural extension of these efforts.
“We are delighted to be partnering with KLM in the FTE Smart Ramp program,” says Rosina Kotey, Innovation Lead, Royal Schiphol Group. “An innovation mindset is crucial, and we immensely value the opportunity to collaborate not only with KLM, but also with other like-minded airports, airlines and key industry innovators. Royal Schiphol Group and KLM both 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 strategies, and we very much look forward to helping shape the autonomous ‘Smart Ramp’ of the future.”
Peter Huisman, Innovation Lead, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, comments: “Like Royal Schiphol Group, we always aim to set the trend in implementing the latest technologies. We are, therefore, excited to collaborate with our key airport partner in the pioneering FTE Smart Ramp program, which fits in perfectly with KLM’s vision to achieve emission-free ground handling by 2030. We look forward to further exploring the potential of autonomous technologies in collaboration with Royal Schiphol Group and the other progressive airline and airport partners from around the world. It is an opportunity to transform operational efficiency, sustainability efforts, and customer experience, leveraging cutting-edge technology to drive the future of ground operations.”
Manuel van Lijf, Director Aviation Innovation, nlmtd, adds: “We are delighted with the global industry response to the launch of the Smart Ramp program. Membership spans three continents, highlighting the collective global potential of this groundbreaking initiative – and the partnership approach taken by Royal Schiphol Group and KLM illustrates how Smart Ramp is helping drive transformation that just wouldn’t be possible otherwise. With their commitment to exploring innovative tech and existing efforts towards ramp automation, Royal Schiphol Group and KLM will undoubtedly make a vital contribution to our Smart Ramp efforts. We look forward to announcing even more new members soon.”
For more information on the FTE Accelerating Collaboration & Engagement (ACE) platform, the Smart Ramp program, and how to get involved, click here.
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