IAG now accepts applications for its third Hangar 51 global innovation programme

LONDON, UK, 2018-Jun-06 — /Travel PR News/ — International Airlines Group (IAG) is launching its third Hangar 51 global innovation programme in collaboration with British Airways, Avios and IAG Cargo. The initiative will be based in London at the companies’ headquarters.

Start-ups from around the world are invited to join the industry-leading programme. Up to ten successful companies will be embedded in the heart of the business to develop and test their products with the opportunity to grow on a global scale.

In partnership with corporate innovation specialist L Marks, Hangar 51 supports start-ups of all sizes and growth stages to transform the travel industry.

The programme goes beyond a traditional accelerator and offers disruptive companies ten weeks of co-working alongside IAG. They will receive personalised mentoring and access to a vast network of industry contacts and experts from across the Group. Successful applicants will also showcase their achievements at a Demo Day before an audience comprised of the Group’s senior management team and investors. This will give them the opportunity to receive potential investment from IAG’s multimillion pound digital fund to scale their business.

The accelerator will focus on six core categories:

  • Connected service: innovative devices, including wearables and IoT solutions, which can assist in providing an excellent experience for customers and employees.
  • Smarter operations: big data analytics, robotic processes and smart contracting to optimise business operations.
  • New products: creative solutions to enhance the products and services portfolio which can be integrated into existing platforms to improve the customer journey.
  • Future cargo logistics: shipping analytics, asset tracking, and measurement and monitoring tools to optimise cargo operations.
  • Loyalty and rewards: tech solutions and platforms, such as card-linking and alternative payment options, which are easily integrated into Avios, the airlines’ channels and retail partners.
  • Wildcard: any new disruptive ideas that have the potential to reshape the travel industry.

Dupsy Abiola, IAG’s head of global innovation, said: “IAG is passionate about cultivating and supporting the next generation of travel technology companies. As one of the world’s largest airline groups, disruptive start-ups can benefit from our size, scale and expertise to help drive faster product innovation. Hangar 51 is now in its third year and our last accelerators saw us receive 800 applications worldwide which led to investment in three start-ups. We’re excited about continuing our unique approach by bringing the start-ups to the heart of our business and harnessing their potential to transform the future of travel.”

Start-ups can now submit their applications to join Hangar 51 at www.hangar51.com. Applications will close at midnight BST on August 5, 2018.

About IAG:
International Airlines Group is one of the world’s largest airline groups with 547 aircraft flying to 268 destinations and carrying around 105 million passengers each year. It is the third largest group in Europe and the sixth largest in the world, based on revenue.

Formed in January 2011, IAG is the parent company of Aer Lingus, British Airways, Iberia and Vueling. It is a Spanish registered company with shares traded on the London Stock Exchange and Spanish Stock Exchanges. The corporate head office for IAG is in London, UK.

In 2017, IAG launched LEVEL a new low cost longhaul airline brand that flies from Barcelona to four transatlantic destinations and will start flights from Paris in July 2018.

IAG combines leading airlines in Ireland, the UK and Spain, enabling them to enhance their presence in the aviation market while retaining their individual brands and current operations. The airlines’ customers benefit from a larger combined network for both passengers and cargo and a greater ability to invest in new products and services through improved financial robustness.

British Airways and Iberia are members of the oneworld alliance.

About L Marks:
L Marks is a firm specialising in applied corporate innovation and an early stage investor. With a prominent presence in the UK, Europe, US and Japan. L Marks’ global expansion has seen 137 startups inducted into one of its innovation programmes, with over 6500 startup applications received from 80+ countries.

We work with some of the world’s best-known brands, including, BMW Group, Lloyd’s of London, Arsenal F.C. and EDF Energy to identify the challenges in their business and create bespoke innovation projects. Founded in 2012 by serial entrepreneur Stuart Marks, and led by Chief Executive, Daniel Saunders, L Marks builds bridges between corporates seeking to innovate and young companies looking to scale with disruptive tech and systemic guidance. We help nurture these opportunities for improvement into innovative solutions to sustain the future longevity of business.

Media contacts:

IAG press office: +44 208 564 2810
media.relations@iairgroup.com

Source: International Airlines Group (IAG)