The International Centre for Aviation Innovation (ICAI), Singapore University of Technology & Design (SUTD), Airbus, Boeing, Changi Airport Group (CAG), SATS, International Airlines Group (IAG) and Singapore Airlines (SIA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to collaborate on the International Aviation Lab to jointly explore, initiate and undertake innovation projects.
This is a first-of-its kind collaboration which aims to drive airport transformation end-to-end. This may include enhancements to aircraft designs and standardisation across aircraft manufacturers and aircraft types, to better facilitate process automation and optimise the interface between airline and airport ground operations. CAAS will appoint ICAI to serve as the programme manager to oversee the overall planning and execution of the Lab’s programmes.
Under the MoU, the partners will work together to support the setting up of the Lab within the next two years. This includes establishing joint research and innovation programmes, co-developing roadmaps and projects, sharing resources, and exchanging knowledge. Industry workshops will be organised in the coming months to ideate and prioritise potential projects. The projects will be test-bedded in Singapore for international application, to address some of the most critical challenges faced by international airports around the world. Some possible projects include:
– Automated loading and unloading of baggage for narrowbody aircraft. Unlike widebody aircraft where baggage is loaded and unloaded via unit load devices and specialised equipment, the loading and unloading of baggage from the cargo hold of narrowbody aircraft relies largely on manual labour given the limited space. Automation will help improve productivity and reduce physical strain on workers.
– Automated and smart technical ramp handling. Today, a team of ground handlers performs various ramp activities when an aircraft arrives at a parking bay. These include screening and removing foreign objects and debris, placing safety cones and wheel chocks, attaching grounding cable, and connecting hoses to resupply water to the aircraft. These routine activities are highly labour-intensive and can benefit from automation.
– Smart gates. When a passenger boarding bridge (PBB) is docked, a ground agent is required to open or close the aircraft’s door from the outside. Such operations are manpower intensive, especially if many contact gates are operating simultaneously. A full suite of robotics and automation solutions can remove the need for an operator to be stationed at the PBB and allow all PBBs to be remotely controlled in the near future.
– Autonomous aircraft pushback and towing. Major airports, including Singapore Changi Airport, handle high volumes of aircraft pushback and towing operations daily to allow passengers to depart and/or arrive more conveniently via a contact gate instead of a remote bay. Such operations require a large pool of skilled ground handlers to be stationed throughout the airport. Automating pushback and towing operations will improve productivity and precision, and reduce reliance on manpower.
“The International Aviation Lab is a bold initiative aimed at achieving quantum leaps in productivity through end-to-end transformation of airport processes. We thank our MOU partners for their support and for choosing Singapore as the testbed for the Lab’s innovations. The solutions we develop are for global deployment; in the coming months, we will work on growing the partnership to onboard more airlines and other airports,” said Han Kok Juan, director-general of CAAS.
