We help airports collaborate confidently with SMEs and high-potential businesses by prioritising the right ideas, shaping robust business cases, and running de-risked, well funded pilots informed by trusted industry intelligence. We partner with airports in the UK and internationally to advance sustainable aviation, pioneer next-generation mobility, transform passenger experience, and build intelligent, resilient and automated operational systems.
For high-potential businesses and SMEs
Have you got an innovative pilot, project or solution to improve aviation or airports?
For airport operators, aviation infrastructure owners and industry partners
Interested in finding new solutions for transport infrastructure?
Organisations are under pressure to deliver the frictionless, clean energy, aviation of the future. Yet navigating regulatory compliance, testing emerging technologies, and running pilots that prove tangible value is challenging with limited time, budget, and specialist expertise.
Through structured pilots in safe testbeds, access to funding, and independent expert support, we turn aviation innovation from a risky side-bet into a practical, evidence-backed route to operational, passenger, and ESG outcomes. The Catapult is uniquely placed to unite the aviation innovation ecosystem and break down barriers blocking large-scale adoption of sustainable, digital, and advanced mobility solutions.
Sustainable aviation. The progression of alternative fuels, the integration of zero emission aircraft and using airports as energy hubs.
Advanced mobility. Research and pilot projects across Vertiports and eVTOL, improving digital traffic management and progressing uncrewed aircraft.
Passenger experience. Enabling seamless travel and enhancing accessibility for all passengers, as well as improving surface access.
Operations. Researching and trialling new technologies and solutions that make airport operations more optimised, automated and resilient.
Turning airports into testbeds
Airports struggle to implement innovative solutions because testing and validation can be complex, difficult, expensive, and risky. Through Connected Airport Living Labs, we enable airports to safely test, validate and adopt innovation faster.
The Department for Transport (DfT), in partnership with Connected Places Catapult, offers Transport Research and…
It means focusing on aviation climate action, integrating emerging aviation technology, enhancing passenger experience, and digitally connecting the aviation ecosystem.
We collaborate with airport and aviation operators, contractors and suppliers on innovation projects, trials, digital solutions and decarbonisation‑focused programmes. Get in touch
Connected Places Catapult helps connect SMEs and high-potential businesses with aviation industry partners, funding opportunities and real‑world trials to test and scale their innovative technologies. Learn more
We have end-to-end capability to design, fund, run and scale complex innovation schemes that create real-world testbeds in live airport environments.
We partner with Innovate UK to run specific projects that aim to unlock innovation in the aviation industry.
We have delivered multiple research and demonstrator projects that support the transition to sustainable fuels. For example, the Zero Emission Airport programme, funded by the Department for Transport (DfT) and led by Connected Places Catapult.
