UK airports should adopt automated technology for transport and logistics to boost productivity, decrease operations costs, cut greenhouse emissions and strengthen security, claims a report by Aberdeen Standard Investment’s Airport Industrial and Property Unit Trust (AIPUT) fund.

Produced by specialist UK aviation real estate consultancy ChappellKing and Dornier Consulting International, the study highlights benefits that can be gained by automating processes such as cargo-handling, logistics operations, and passenger transportation both to airports and within.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Premium Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Related Company Profiles

View all

AIPUT fund manager Nick Smith said:  “Autonomous technology promises enormous benefits to airports and the service companies that support them, transforming the way airports work and improving efficiency and safety, both for passengers and other airport users.

“At Gatwick, for example, 90% of the airport’s airside vehicles are stationary at any one time, which is both hugely inefficient and demands a vast amount of space.

“At Gatwick, 90% of the airport’s airside vehicles are stationary at any one time, which is both hugely inefficient and demands a vast amount of space.”

“A much smaller pool of electric-powered autonomous vehicles would drastically cut costs, free up land, reduce emissions, and improve safety.”

AIPUT is using this technology to support London Heathrow Airport’s freight and logistics service providers.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

A number of airports have started testing the autonomous technology.  Heathrow in partnership with IAG Cargo and Oxbotica has wrapped up the first trials of air-side vehicles using automated technology.

Additionally, Gatwick has trialled autonomous vehicles to shuttle staff across the airfield.

Fagernes Airport in Norway tested an autonomous snowplough to clear an area of 68 acres in a single hour.