Passengers are set to benefit from smoother journeys thanks to
funding for smart airport technology, announced today (18 March
2025) by the Department for Transport (DfT).
Six successful British tech companies will receive a share of
£450,000 to develop the smart screening technology of the future,
enhancing UK security and
reducing delays at airports.
Based across the country – from Tewkesbury to Cambridge and
Nottingham – each of the companies will develop scanning
equipment to improve threat detection and reduce the number of
false alarms and manual checks, speeding up screening processes
and reducing inconvenience to passengers.
With the sector worth £20 billion to the UK economy, continued investment will
ensure the long-term future of aviation, keeping the UK competitive internationally.
The programme will also build local jobs and skills that will
kickstart economic growth across the country and break down
barriers to opportunity.
Alongside grant funding, the programme will provide tailored
business support workshops delivered by experts at the Connected
Places Catapult in collaboration with the department. These
workshops will provide advice and mentoring on issues ranging
from technical matters, corporate finance, regulation, trial
design, customer needs and more.
Aviation Minister, , said:
Safety is our top priority and this funding will strengthen the
UK's already rigorous
security standards, bolster our competitiveness internationally
and ensure that passengers can continue to fly with ease of mind.
As part of our Plan for Change, we are turbocharging investment
in the aviation sector and going further and faster with
expansion plans to kickstart economic growth and deliver
high-skilled jobs across the country.
Connected Places Catapult is the delivery partner for the
programme and has already successfully led a number of schemes
for the department, including the Transport Research and
Innovation Grants (TRIG) programme, which aims to drive
scientific and technological progress across UK transport.
Erika Lewis, Chief Executive Officer at Connected Places
Catapult, said:
Making transport efficient, inclusive and safe is a key priority
for Connected Places Catapult. By supporting innovators with
ideas to further strengthen security at airports, not only are we
helping to improve the passenger experience, but we are also
supporting companies to develop and scale here in the
UK.
Sam Pollock, Iconal Director, said:
DfT's HADeS innovation grant
funding is a great example of government working with
SMEs such as
ourselves to accelerate the development of cutting
edge technologies, supporting the UK's world class aviation security
industry.
