The most pioneering airlines and airports in Asia-Pacific were recognised at the FTE APAC Pioneer Awards 2023 ceremony, sponsored by AERQ. The winners were announced on 8 November during FTE APEX Asia Expo 2023 at the Marina Bay Sands Expo & Convention Centre in Singapore. 20 leading airlines and airports from across the region were nominated for pushing the boundaries of innovation, enhancing the customer experience, and playing a vital role in advancing the air transport industry. 10 of the nominees were presented with an ‘Outstanding Achievement’ trophy and a further four took home ‘Highly Commended’ certificates.
FTE APAC Airline Pioneer Awards 2023 – ‘Outstanding Achievement’
AirAsia
AirAsia is truly a ground-breaking, progressive and guest-focused airline. It received an ‘Outstanding Achievement’ trophy in recognition of fast-tracking its digital transformation with the mission of pivoting from being primarily an airline into an all-in-one digital company with close to 20 travel and lifestyle products and services.
Singapore Airlines
Singapore Airlines is best-known for its multiple travel accolades and impeccable service standards. It was recognised with an ‘Outstanding Achievement’ trophy for its open innovation strategy, incorporating automation and deploying Artificial Intelligence (AI) to optimise operations and the passenger experience. Among its many other initiatives, this carrier also developed a world-first blockchain-enabled loyalty wallet.
Air New Zealand
Air New Zealand has a strong Pacific Rim strategy and was recognised with an ‘Outstanding Achievement’ trophy for its approach to ultra-long-haul travel. The airline expects its Skynest – the world’s first sleep pods in the sky – to be a real game-changer. It was also awarded for Mission Next Gen – its initiative to accelerate the development of zero emissions aircraft.
Cathay Pacific
Cathay Pacific is in a very exciting phase right now with some really big deliveries coming through in the next couple of years. It was recognised with an ‘Outstanding Achievement’ trophy for pioneering enhancements to the customer experience, including the all-new business class Aria Suite, through to significant sustainability efforts, an impressive IFEC upgrade, and the use of advanced conversational AI to enhance travellers’ digital experience.
All Nippon Airways
All Nippon Airways continues to push the boundaries of aviation beyond today’s horizon. Among many recent initiatives, which contributed to it being awarded an ‘Outstanding Achievement’ trophy, the airline has entered the Metaverse and is leveraging the power of virtual travel. It is also promoting contactless travel and is entering the Urban Air Mobility space.
FTE APAC Airport Pioneer Awards 2023 – ‘Outstanding Achievement’
GMR Group
GMR Group received an ‘Outstanding Achievement’ trophy in recognition of developing both digital and non-digital next-generation solutions, as well as investing in cloud technologies, video analytics, computer vision, data sciences, blockchain, DroneTech, smart tagging, AI and Machine Learning, contactless technology, autonomous vehicles, Augmented and Virtual Reality, Internet of Things, and Human Machine Interactions, just to name a few.
Incheon International Airport Corporation
Incheon International Airport drives ceaseless advancements towards being the world’s best, and it received an ‘Outstanding Achievement’ trophy for the development of the first Metaverse airport. Incheon is also working to improve the passenger experience using robotics and autonomous vehicles, and is leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance operational efficiency.
Airport Authority Hong Kong
Hong Kong International Airport is one of the world’s most iconic and Airport Authority Hong Kong received an ‘Outstanding Achievement’ trophy for its new facilities, services and technologies “to give passengers a brand-new airport experience”. Advanced biometrics are being used to create a single-use digital token, enabling travellers to pass through various checkpoints without queuing. Mobile technology, automation and robotics are also being leveraged in innovative ways.
Narita International Airport Corporation
Narita International Airport Corporation was awarded an ‘Outstanding Achievement’ trophy for proactively incorporating robotics, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other cutting-edge technologies to promote operational efficiency and enhance the passenger experience. The airport has also introduced the first end-to-end biometric boarding process in Japan.
Changi Airport Group
Changi Airport Group keeps reinventing just what an airport can be, which sees people visit even when they aren’t flying, while its passengers always want to get there early to enjoy all that is on offer. It was recognised with an ‘Outstanding Achievement’ trophy for “turbocharging digitalisation efforts to enhance the travelling experience for passengers”. A key element has been entering the Metaverse. Changi has also established the pioneering ‘Digital, Innovation, Ventures & Analytics’ programme to successfully tap into many new and emerging technologies and trends.
FTE APAC Airline Pioneer Awards 2023 – ‘Highly Commended’
IndiGo
IndiGo is among the fastest-growing low-cost carriers in the world out of India and was ‘Highly Commended’ for multiple initiatives that have contributed to a clear strategy and blueprint for its digital transformation journey, in order to be future-ready.
Japan Airlines
Japan Airlines is one of the world’s premier carriers and was ‘Highly Commended’ for initiatives such as its new ‘JAL SKY SUITE’ configurations and pioneering onboard dining experience, as well as its efforts in the Urban Air Mobility space.
FTE APAC Airport Pioneer Awards 2023 – ‘Highly Commended’
Airports of Thailand
Airports of Thailand has a vision to “Operate the World’s Smartest Airports” and was ‘Highly Commended’ for its digitalisation and innovation projects across multiple passenger touchpoints, including fast automatic self-check-in, baggage tracking, advance passenger processing and much more.
Malaysia Airports
Malaysia Airports was ‘Highly Commended’ for its digital innovation framework, called Airports 4.0. It is also implementing state-of-the-art technologies such as 5G, Wi-Fi 6, Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI).
FTE APEX Asia Expo 2024 dates announced!
The free to attend FTE APEX Asia Expo will return to the Marina Bay Sands Expo & Convention Centre in Singapore on 19-20 November 2024. Mark your diary today! Find out more information about the event here.
