FTE Communities update: Smart Ramp Proof of Concepts, Iberia-hosted Live Day in Madrid, exclusive Schiphol baggage tour and more

The following article was published by Future Travel Experience

Here, we provide an update on FTE’s three Communities, as well as the pioneering FTE Accelerating Collaboration & Engagement (ACE) platform, including Proof of Concepts and exclusive members-only activities.

Future Travel Experience’s role as a dynamic community catalyst and enabler of industry transformation is spearheaded by its three Communities – the FTE Digital, Innovation & Startup Hub, Baggage Innovation Working Group, and World Ancillary & Retailing Working Group – as well as the pioneering FTE Accelerating Collaboration & Engagement (ACE) platform. Here, we share an update on the latest ACE initiative, Smart Ramp, with 20 projects across 8 airports planned in 2025. Plus, we highlight upcoming members-only activities, including an Iberia-hosted Live Day in Madrid, an exclusive robotics-themed Schiphol baggage tour, and more. Learn more about the FTE Communities and how to participate >>

Pioneering FTE Smart Ramp program: 20 projects across 8 airports in 2025

The pioneering FTE Smart Ramp program is going from strength-to-strength. International Airlines Group, Miami International Airport, Schiphol Group and All Nippon Airways are first movers in this truly global collaborative innovation initiative, with new airline and airport members to be announced imminently.

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.

Below are just some of the innovation challenges being undertaken by the Smart Ramp partners in 2025:

• Miami International Airport: FOD detection via Computer Vision AI turnaround system; install and test a private wireless network and 5G cameras to provide connectivity for a Computer Vison system designed to track aircraft turnaround activities and FOD detection; and test four vendors of Computer Vision AI turnaround systems with four airlines, including the passenger boarding process.
• Schiphol Group: Autonomous FOD detection and removal for a seamless inbound aircraft flow, reducing wait times, lowering apron emissions, and improving worker health; and autonomously connecting aircraft to 400Hz power to reduce apron emissions and create a healthier work environment for staff.
• International Airlines Group: Automated stand entry guidance with FOD detection capability (Auto-SEGS) at hub and non-hub airports (LHR, LGW); remotely controlled passenger boarding bridges (Auto-PBB) at hub and non-hub airports (LHR, LGW); plus, timestamping at non-hub airports with performance platform (SEA, BER, MIA and CPH) and timestamping at a hub airport (LHR).
• All Nippon Airways: Implement autonomous towing tractors for cargo transportation to efficiently move cargo from the warehouse to the apron, reducing the need for manual labour in operations.

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. Learn more about the FTE Accelerating Collaboration & Engagement (ACE) platform and how to participate >>

Iberia-hosted FTE Communities Live Day in Madrid, 7 April 2025

Following the success of the FTE Communities Live Days hosted by Orlando International Airport in February (read our full report here), the next FTE Communities Live Day event takes place in Madrid on 7 April 2025. Members of the FTE Digital, Innovation & Startup Hub and the FTE Baggage Innovation Working Group will convene in Madrid for an action-packed joint meeting, hosted by Iberia at its Madrid HQ, where members will hear unique insights from Iberia, Aena and a host of guest speakers. In addition, FTE Hub members will have the opportunity to tour Iberia’s state-of-the-art MRO centre at Madrid-Barajas Airport. Learn more about the FTE Communities Live Day and how to participate >>

Exclusive robotics-themed Schiphol baggage tour for FTE BIWG members

The FTE Baggage Innovation Working Group (BIWG) is an unparalleled community, providing invaluable opportunities for knowledge-sharing, business development, networking and fun. One of the unique aspects is the exclusive baggage system tours facilitated at some of the world’s most pioneering airports. Last year, these included Pittsburgh and Oslo airports and we are delighted that Schiphol – a BIWG Partner – is hosting what promises to be fascinating tour on 9 June 2025, ahead of the co-located APEX FTE EMEA and APEX FTE Ancillary & Retailing events, taking place in Dublin – the ‘Silicon Valley of Europe’ – on 10-12 June 2025.

Schiphol will provide a timewarp tour through its pioneering use of robotics in the baggage space – beginning with the technologies used 12 years ago right through the present. Members can expect to see how Schiphol is deploying innovations including Aurrigo’s Auto-DollyTug electric self-driving baggage vehicle, a collaborative robot from Cobot Lift to automate baggage loading, the Eltonomous robotic loading solution, and so much more. Learn more about the FTE Baggage Innovation Working Group >>

Mark your diary for upcoming in-person FTE Communities meetings

• 7 April 2025: FTE Communities Live Day, Madrid, including an in-person meeting of the FTE Digital, Innovation & Startup Hub and FTE Baggage Innovation Working Group
• 13 May 2025: in-person members-only meetings of the FTE Digital, Innovation & Startup Hub and FTE Baggage Innovation Working Group, Pittsburgh (co-located with FTE World Innovation Summit
• 10 June 2025: in-person members-only meetings of FTE’s three innovation communities – the FTE Digital, Innovation & Startup Hub, Baggage Innovation Working Group, and World Ancillary & Retailing Working Group – in Dublin (co-located with APEX FTE EMEA and APEX FTE Ancillary & Retailing)
• 9 September 2025: in-person members-only meetings of FTE’s three innovation communities – the FTE Digital, Innovation & Startup Hub, Baggage Innovation Working Group, and World Ancillary & Retailing Working Group – in Long Beach (co-located with FTE Global)
• 10 November 2025: in-person members-only meetings of FTE’s three innovation communities – the FTE Digital, Innovation & Startup Hub, Baggage Innovation Working Group, and World Ancillary & Retailing Working Group – in Singapore (co-located with APEX FTE Asia Expo)

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FTE Communities update: Smart Ramp Proof of Concepts, Iberia-hosted Live Day in Madrid, exclusive Schiphol baggage tour and more