Glasgow Airport said it is to get the UK’s first "connected airport living lab" when Connected Places Catapult launches demonstrations and trials of innovative technologies at the airport.
The tie-up, the airport said, would put it "at the heart of testing a diverse range of innovations aimed at addressing challenges facing the aviation sector", with the lab to host "technologies, systems and processes designed to enhance passenger experience and freight management".
The aim of the initiative is to "boost productivity" and "accelerate decarbonisation of ground and air operations, including the electrification of flight, the use of hydrogen, automation data analytics and multi modal connected surface-level access", the airport announced.
"As passenger numbers continue to recover after the pandemic, we want to develop a more inclusive passenger experience and as Scotland’s largest cargo airport by freight value, there is an opportunity to grow the volume of imports and exports moving through Glasgow," said Andy Cliffe, chief executive of the airports owner, AGS Airports.
Connected Places Catapult was described as "the UK’s innovation accelerator for cities, transport, and place leadership".