PIT’s Culture of Innovation Honored at FTE Global 2024 Awards

Pittsburgh International Airport is defining the future of the air travel – and the world is noticing. The Future Travel Experience, an independent organization dedicated to improving the passenger experience, is the latest organization to recognize PIT’s efforts.

PIT was one of three winners of FTE’s Global Airport Pioneer Award and Deepak Nayyar, PIT’s Executive Vice President and CIO, was named to the FTE Airport Digital Transformation Power List Americas 2024. The awards were announced at the FTE Global conference’s awards ceremony on Oct. 29 in Los Angeles.

The Airport Pioneer Award spotlights new approaches that have the potential to improve passenger travel and make the industry safer, more efficient and commercially successful. The award champions the most transformative change agents in the airline and airport industry in the Americas for outstanding efforts to embrace digital innovation.

In announcing PIT’s selection, FTE highlighted the airport’s significant strides in the robotics and automation sector, such as completing numerous trials of autonomous technologies over the past two years.

xBridge collaborations

FTE also recognized PIT’s partnership with International Airlines Group (IAG) in 2023 to explore groundbreaking solutions in collaboration with the robotics and technology community. This partnership – through the airport’s xBridge innovation program – has already led to deploying Synaptic Aviation’s advanced computer vision technology vision to monitor ramp operations via cameras stationed at a gate.

This cutting-edge technology uses Artificial Intelligence models for computer vision to monitor ramp operations through strategically placed cameras at airport gates, providing valuable data that can improve efficiency and safety.

The airport has also completed several trials of various autonomous and autonomy-enabling technologies over the past two years. These trials, which have been confined to the terminal, parking lots and other passenger-facing areas, are now moving to the airfield, prioritizing below-wing functions and support.

PIT also is exploring trials of ecosystems of autonomous technologies working together. While functional technologies that do one thing well are relatively prevalent, PIT is encouraging research into integrating these technologies.

FTE Global featured a robotics think tank session that built on the FTE Aviation & Robotics Summit in Pittsburgh this May. Cole Wolfson, director of xBridge, led the discussion.

Digital leadership

Nayyar was among 10 executives selected for FTE’s Airport Digital Transformation Power List Americas 2024. The honorees were chosen for being at the forefront of innovation and driving transformational change for their organizations and the wider industry.

Nayyar was recognized for his “leadership in implementing the latest technology and innovation and advancing the airport’s digital transformation.”

“It was a great honor to be amid aviation leaders and innovators and for Pittsburgh International Airport to receive awards for not only the digital transformation leader but also as the world’s most pioneering airport,” Nayyar said. “We are not just about flying planes. We are about shaping air travel for the future.”

Nayyar said the airport will continue to collaborate with stakeholders through initiatives like xBridge to develop and deploy innovations that include IoT (Internet of Things) integration, sensor networks, data analytics and Artificial intelligence.

“Using these cutting-edge technologies, we can provide seamless connectivity and decision-making through data-driven insights,” he said. “We are not just embracing digital transformation – it is also about business transformation for us as we build the new terminal. Such a transformation allows for a seamless passenger and operational experience in the airport and a seamless integration of our systems and services.”

PIT once again will host the FTE World Innovation Summit from May 13-15. Attendees from around the world will be tackling the aviation industry’s biggest challenges as they explore PIT’s pioneering new terminal program and uncover the region’s vibrant tech and innovation landscape. For more information, visit www.futuretravelexperience.com.