Some of the biggest names in aviation have joined forces to explore how automation could reshape airside operations at Britain’s airports.
International Airlines Group, Heathrow, Aer Lingus and technology firm Fusion Processing are among the founding members of the Airside Automation Group, launched yesterday at Cenex Expo 2025.
The coalition, convened by the government-backed innovation body Zenzic, will bring together airlines, airports, regulators and technology developers to test and promote connected and automated mobility (CAM) solutions.
Andrew Cornish, non-executive chair at Aurrigo, the Coventry-based autonomous vehicle specialist, who will chair the new body, said the group offered “a vital platform for industry and innovators to come together, share learning, and accelerate the development of the next generation of connected and automated solutions.”
Aurrigo has already trialled its driverless baggage tugs at Changi in Singapore and Amsterdam’s Schiphol, and Cornish said that experience gave the company “a unique opportunity to bring real-world insights back into this UK-led collaboration.”
Mark Cracknell, programme director at Zenzic, said British companies were already developing “world-leading solutions” that were being exported around the globe. “With the government harbouring ambitions to increase [the CAM sector’s contribution] to over £42 billion by 2035, we see further growth in the aviation market as being key to realising this potential,” he said.
The UK move comes amid a wider international push to automate airport logistics. Swissport and Aurrigo have recently begun live trials of autonomous ground-handling vehicles at Zurich airport, while Shanghai’s Pudong airport has deployed driverless baggage tractors built by UISEE, integrated into its apron management system.
In Norway, Avinor has partnered with Vanderlande to test robotic baggage handling at Oslo.
Backers of the new group say that Britain is well-placed to lead this global shift, pointing to the country’s strong record in exporting aviation technologies and its existing trials at Heathrow.
By pooling expertise across airlines, airports and suppliers, they hope to secure not just more efficient airside operations but also a resilient supply chain for the emerging industry.
Cornish said the ambition was clear: “By working collectively, we can ensure the UK remains at the forefront of this global transformation, delivering world-class technology, stronger supply chains, and long-term economic growth.”
