IAG's Hangar 51 Accelerator 2024 takes off with new cohort of startups in partnership with Plug and Play

International Airlines Group (IAG), has launched its eighth Hangar 51 Accelerator program, welcoming a new cohort of startups poised to revolutionize the aviation industry. Plug and Play, a global innovation platform connecting startups and corporations is supporting this year's program as the innovation partner of IAG.

The selected startups will tackle some of the industry's biggest challenges across four core areas:

Sustainability: Exploring new technologies that can help decarbonize aviation.
Customer Experience: Enhancing the passenger journey through innovative products and services.
Operational Efficiency: Testing new solutions to improve efficiency and performance.
Airports: Optimizing turnaround management and ground operations.

Over twelve weeks, the startups will work closely with IAG experts to test and refine their solutions in a real-world environment. The startups to present their projects to key stakeholders across IAG and its operating companies: Aer Lingus, British Airways, Iberia, LEVEL, Vueling, IAG Loyalty and IAG Cargo.

Plug and Play provided support to IAG with key program activities, including global scouting, startup assessment, and event management. Beyond the program itself, Plug and Play has connected IAG to its wider partner ecosystem, offering speaking and participation opportunities at events across Europe. This creates opportunities to connect with other industry leaders to exchange best practices and identify potential synergies.

Nik Munaretto, Director, Plug and Play Vienna: "We're truly excited to partner with one of the world's largest airline groups to drive impactful improvements in airline operations and sustainability. Working with IAG is a unique highlight within our global ecosystem, showing how open innovation across diverse companies/carriers, regions, and approaches can make a real difference for the entire industry. In aviation, collaboration is key, and we're proud to work together in tackling challenges like CO2 emissions and climate impact. The best startups have made it through our selection process and are now collaborating with various airlines and business units to test their solutions. I'm personally looking forward to Demo Day to see the impact they've made."

Here's the new Hangar 51 Accelerator 2024 cohort: