International Centre for Aviation Innovation: Advancing air navigation and smart airport solutions for the future

Why was the International Centre for Aviation Innovation (ICAI) created? 

“The ICAI was set up by the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) and created to drive international partnership in developing next generation air navigation services and smart automated airport solutions for the aviation industry. In the Air Traffic Management (ATM) domain, there is a need to develop common platforms to allow Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs) to co-develop and experiment new Concept of Operations (CONOPS) that will help to enhance the capacity and safety of air navigation services for this region. In the airport domain, ICAI has created an International Airport Lab that brings together the airport ecosystem players such as aircraft original equipment manufacturers (OEMS), airlines, ground handling agencies, airport operators and the regulators to innovate together to develop end-to-end automation solution for the airside.”

What are the benefits and challenges of testing new technologies locally before being deployed globally? And which type of technologies will they be testing there? 

“In Singapore, there are various stakeholders who are global players in their respective fields and the challenges they face reflect those which are common to other leading airports. As such, what is being developed in Singapore will also be applicable to other global airports as well. The benefits of doing it locally are the relative ease in bringing together the whole ecosystem to undertake these innovation projects, as all parties are all driven by the same challenges and timeline. Global deployment needs to be ensured if we want to build a positive business case for industry partners, as it is likely that they will not invest massively in a product which is suitable for only one airport.”

How is automation reshaping airside operations? 

“As air traffic doubles over the next decade and with more severe impacts on airport operations due to climate change, it will be increasingly challenging to hire workers to support airside operations. Automation is one of the key solutions that could help alleviate these challenges for leading airports. As such, we will see many labour-intensive operations such as driving and docking of ground support equipment (GSEs), loading and unloading of baggage, airside turnaround activities, to be augmented by automated solutions in the years ahead.” 

Can you explain how ‘Adverse Weather Nowcasting’ works and how it improves airport efficiency and safety during unpredictable weather conditions? 

“Adverse Weather Nowcasting refers to a suite of techniques that tap on the advances in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), to provide better probabilistic based decision-making models over a two hour timeframe to airport operators and air traffic control (ATC), so that they could take pre-emptive measures to adjust their operations to alleviate the reduction in handling capacity in the air and on the ground. By using such advanced tools, it will allow airport operators to better prioritise their allocation of resources and change of operational plans that will help them reduce the impact of disruption.” 

What does total airport management entail, and how does it integrate various systems to optimise airport operations? 

“Total airport management (TAM) integrates systems like the airport operational database, baggage handling, flight information, and resource management to optimise operations. Real-time data sharing enables efficient gate allocation, baggage tracking, and ground crew coordination. Collaborative decision making (CDM) platforms connect stakeholders to adjust schedules during disruptions. Predictive analytics and Internet of Things (IoT) devices anticipate issues like delays or weather impacts, while biometric systems streamline passenger flow. Energy management reduces costs during low traffic. By unifying these systems, TAM enhances efficiency, reduces delays, improves safety, and delivers a seamless passenger experience, creating a data-driven ecosystem for smooth airport operations.” 

What emerging technologies do you believe will have the most significant impact on airport operations over the next decade? Where does sustainability fit into this? 

“In the next decade, technologies like AI, Internet of Things (IoT), advanced robotics will transform airport operations, enhancing efficiency, safety, and passenger experience. Airside robotics and automation will streamline ground handling, baggage management, and aircraft inspections, reducing labour and improving speed. Automation and robotics will optimise airside operations, while digital twin technology will enable real-time data analysis for predictive maintenance and resource management. While sustainability will remain a key consideration, the primary focus will be on improving operational performance and efficiency through automation, robotics, and smart infrastructure, shaping a faster, more efficient airport experience.” 

How important is global collaboration in driving aviation innovation, and what role do organisations like ICAI play in fostering this collaboration? 

“As commercial aviation is global by nature, fostering international partnerships amongst different stakeholders to co-create solutions is key in driving aviation innovation. ICAI plays a key role in driving and facilitating such partnerships through the formation of consortiums to undertake joint projects, co-funding of projects which can be applicable across different airports and airlines, and guiding of research towards translation. We are thankful for our participation in inter airport Southeast Asia, which will allow us to exchange with possible partners for the future.” 

About the interviewee

Patrick Ky, CEO of the International Centre for Aviation Innovation. Credit: ICAI

Patrick Ky is Chief Executive Officer of the International Centre for Aviation Innovation. Mr Ky was formerly Executive Director of the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). Prior to leading EASA, he was in charge of the SESAR programme – Europe’s ATM modernisation programme. Mr Ky is the recipient of The Glen A. Gilbert Memorial Award of the Air Traffic Controllers Association as a recognition of his achievements in the field of aviation and for being an advocate of innovation and change in air traffic control. In 2015, he was designated “Industry Leader of the Year” by the German publication Fliegermagazin. Mr Ky is a graduate from Ecole Polytechnique and the Civil Aviation Engineering School in France. He holds degrees in economics from the University of Toulouse and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.