The outbreak of Covid-19 in 2020 has had a tremendous impact on the travel industry and, specifically, on the aviation sector; passengers’ expectations have changed dramatically, with priority being given to health and safety.

In this context, both ADR and Aena have been focussing on accelerating the implementation of new technologies and digital processes to allow their audiences to live contactless and safe airport journeys, finding innovative solutions to improve the whole passengers experience in the post pandemic context.

“We are very glad to team up with our international partner Aena on such a crucial initiative for our sector,” Marco Troncone, CEO of Aeroporti di Roma, stated. “Since the early stages of the pandemic, ADR has been investing consistently into applying new solutions to provide passengers with the healthiest possible experience and simultaneously support the relaunch of the aviation industry: not only have we implemented safety measures thanks to which we have been internationally praised by bodies such as Skytrax and UNWTO, but we have also worked relentlessly to be pioneers in launching the Covid-tested flights’ protocol – now widespread at global level. In this regards, together with sustainability, innovation is one of our main focuses: from biometric technologies to open innovation, a subject that we are consistently promoting within our company, we are keen to confront with Aena and elaborate together new ideas that can serve the whole sector.”

The next step will be to expand the team, welcoming other international airports to design together clear and simple processes and rules; in this perspective, today’s agreement marks the creation of the network “Airports For Innovation”, dedicated to optimising processed and improve passengers’ experiences through the development of friendly, innovative and sustainable solutions and the testing of effective models.

“It’s a huge pleasure for Aena to collaborate closely with ADR in initiatives focused on the recovery of the sector through innovation” Amparo Brea, Director of Innovation, Sustainability & Customer Experience of Aena, stated “The implementation of new technologies and innovative processes are essential for the present and future development of Aena and airport sector. Including innovation and digitization as a company engine is a measure that is found in the strategic and growth plannings of the main companies and countries. Innovation and digitization allow us to gain efficiency and capacity, generate new income, offer efficient and quality services and minimize the environmental footprint to be sustainable. In times of crisis like the one we currently living, especially in the air transport sector, the need arises to reinvent ourselves, carry out transformations, digitize and seek innovative solutions to get ahead.”

The main areas of interest where the partnership will look at to search for innovative projects will be: seamless travel, IoT, automation, digital passengers’ information, smart operations, smart energy, e-commerce and maintenance 4.0.

Aeroporti di Roma’s Innovation & Quality department, headed by Emanuele Calà, will work together with Aena’s Innovation, Sustainability & Customer Experience Directorate, led by Amparo Brea Alvarez, also to promote periodic “Call For Ideas” aimed at involving third parties, such as universities, to feed and enrich the ideas’ creation process.

Aeroporti di Roma, an Atlantia Group company, manages Rome Fiumicino and Ciampino airports and carries out other business activities relating to airport management. Fiumicino has two passenger terminals and is dedicated to business and leisure customers on national, international and intercontinental routes; Ciampino is mainly used by low-cost airlines, express-couriers and General Aviation activities. In 2019 ADR recorded, as an airport system, 49.4 million passengers with over 240 destinations worldwide reachable from Rome, thanks to approximately 100 airlines operating at the two airports (In 2020, following the effects caused by Covid-19 on air transport, Fiumicino airport recorded just 9.8 million passengers while Ciampino airport ended the year with 1.6 million passengers). In 2020, Airports Council International Europe awarded Fiumicino’s Leonardo da Vinci airport with the “Best Airport Award 2020”. For the third year running, Leonardo da Vinci airport confirmed its position as the number one European hub with over 40 million passengers. The award adds to the recognition of Airports Council International World which, in 2020, presented Leonardo da Vinci airport with the “Airport Service Quality 2019” award for the third consecutive year as Europe’s most appreciated airport among hubs with more than 40 million passengers. ADR’s management capacity is also confirmed by the awards received during 2019 from Skytrax, the leading international rating and assessment company for the airport sector, which confirmed the 4 Skytrax stars obtained by Fiumicino in 2017.

Aena is a leading global operator in airport management. The company manages 46 airports and two heliports in Spain and six in Brazil. It participates directly and indirectly in the management of a further 17 airports across the world: 12 in Mexico, 2 in Colombia, 2 in Jamaica and London-Luton Airport in the UK, owning a 51% share. In 2019, 367 million passengers pass through the airports.

Aena is also a leading company due to its experience, capacity and professional team in the management of airport services. A company of great value and reputation, both nationally and internationally. Its airports are among the most modern and efficient in the world and are equipped with the most advanced technologies. Its efficient services and varied commercial offering guarantee passengers a safe and comfortable stay.

Aena is a company responsible for social, economic and environmental sustainability. Aware of the role it must play as an economic engine in the areas of influence of the airports; of its condition as a gateway to Tourism, guarantor of territorial and economic cohesion and of the various economic activities, its commitment to sustainable development is permanent. Aena is moving towards the future with its sights set on sustainability, innovation and digitalisation at the service of the country, the workers at its facilities, passengers, airlines and all its customers. In addition, the best proof of this commitment is that Aena is the first Spanish company and one of the first listed companies in the world to report to its shareholders every year on its performance in terms of climate action. Introducing new technologies, innovative processes and trends, as well as keeping up the airports up to date with society, is essential for Aena’s present and future development.

Recently, Aena has achieved the maximum score of five stars for six airports in its network in the ‘Covid-19 Safety Ratings’ program of the prestigious consulting firm Skytrax. These airports are Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas, Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat, Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández, Málaga-Costa del Sol, Palma de Mallorca and Tenerife North-Ciudad de la Laguna. Aena becomes the world’s airport group with the most “safe airports” accredited according to the guidelines of the international aeronautical authorities and the guidelines of the World Health Organization. Therefore, the 46 airports of the Aena’s network in Spain have achieved the AHA (Airport Health Accreditation) of ACI, which recognizes the commitment of airports to the health measures adopted for the safety of employees and passengers.