International Airlines Group (IAG), the aviation group that is the parent company of airlines British Airways and Iberia, has launched a second accelerator program that will be based in Spain.
IAG launched the first of its Hangar 51 accelerator initiatives in London in October 2016 with the aim of accessing aviation technology startups working on products that could improve customer service.
The Spanish scheme will be run in collaboration with consulting firm Cink Emprende, and will focus on data-driven businesses, automation, customer experience and connected airline technology that can improve communication between customers, partners and systems.
There will also be a wildcard category for disruptive ideas believed to offer added value to IAG’s business.
The 10-week program will offer industry expert advice, a test environment for products, access to the company’s resources and the chance of financial support from IAG’s digital investment fund.
Stephen Scott, head of global innovation at IAG, said: “The first Hangar 51 was incredibly successful, attracting more than 450 applications from around the world.
“This resulted in IAG creating ongoing commercial agreements with three startups and investing in two finalists. We have developed an innovative culture where we are able to work with startups and take their products to the market.
“It is exciting to run Hangar 51 in Spain as we have already seen the value of combining the group’s industry expertise with the startups’ speed and agility.”