Open Call
Accessibility and assistance services trials at Glasgow Airport
Connected Places Catapult and Glasgow Airport have collaborated to create the Connected Airport Living Lab, a collaborative R&D asset used to showcase UK-developed innovations, attract investment, and act as an innovation catalyst for the aviation sector. It is also used for testing and demonstrations of a diverse range of innovations aimed at addressing challenges facing the aviation sector, notably the decarbonisation of ground and air operations, the adoption of hydrogen, automation, data analytics and to enhance passenger experience.
Overview
We are launching a new project to trial technologies to enhance the provision of special assistance at airports to make air travel more inclusive and accessible to all, with a particular focus on neurodiverse passengers. We have conducted a period of discovery, including desk research, stakeholder interviews and airport observations and interviews at Glasgow Airport with relevant staff. Using this research, and in collaboration with Glasgow Airport, we have identified two key challenges which would improve customer service at the airport as well as support the Catapult’s aim of supporting UK businesses to scale and grow. These challenges also align with specific recommendations in the Aviation Accessibility Task and Finish Group Report which was commissioned by Department for Transport and published in July 2025.
The project comprises two distinct challenges with a separate RFQ process being conducted for each challenge.
Application deadline is noon on 18 November 2025.
Trials will need to be delivered by 31 March 2026.
Challenge A: We are seeking solutions that would increase independence and confidence of disabled passengers, by providing personalised information about the airport, their journey, airport amenities and means to contact assistance staff prior to and/or post arrival at the airport.
Challenge B: We are seeking solutions that would enable disabled passengers to better inform airport staff how, where, and when they need assistance in the airport reflecting their personal experience.
