By: M4G Bureau
Last updated : April 07, 2022 10:21 am
The JIC will focus on driving digital innovation for the airport, enhancing passenger experience, and creating positive impact for the community where the airport operates.
Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) – operator of Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru (BLR Airport) – is working with Amazon Web Services (AWS), an Amazon.com company, to establish a Joint Innovation Center (JIC) that will drive the development and adoption of digital solutions in aviation. The JIC will also enable startups to accelerate innovation in aviation, smart infrastructure, utilities, and mobility by providing comprehensive program offerings and a technical platform that helps customers innovate quickly utilising AWS technology. This is the first JIC by AWS established outside of China and its first JIC dedicated to advancing the aviation industry.
As part of the launch of the JIC, BIAL will also deploy Startup Valley, a startup accelerator programme that will offer an open innovation opportunity for startups to build and accelerate digital solutions in the aviation industry, the Airport City and related domains. The Startup Valley will provide a structured engagement approach for startups to design, develop, and build their solutions, and test their solutions at BIAL. AWS will provide programmatic support that will match identified startups with mentorship, AWS Credits, technical training, and access to an investor pool. These joint efforts between BIAL and AWS will allow Indian startups to further develop their solutions for adoption and scale.
“We are thrilled to extend our relationship with AWS to power two of our important focus areas – strengthen our digital roadmap towards making BLR Airport the best destination airport for travellers by leveraging the power of cloud computing and digital technologies, and create an environment for startups to innovate and advance in aviation and related domains,” said Hari Marar, MD & CEO, BIAL. “The new Joint Innovation Center between BIAL and AWS will enable us to develop modular, scalable, innovative digital solutions that can benefit all stakeholders in the aviation domain and help reimagine air travel in India.”
“Modern air travel has been disrupted by the pandemic and is ripe for innovation. We are excited to strengthen our engagement with BIAL to help them explore new possibilities with digital technologies, develop enhanced experiences for travelers, and realize the vision of a digitalized and smart airport,” said Rahul Sharma, President, Public Sector – AISPL, AWS India and South Asia. “With Startup Valley, our combined vision is to enable startups to transition successfully and faster in their experimentation, development, and scaling phases, help them commercialize their solutions, and accelerate the adoption of innovative digital solutions in the country.”