French airport operator Groupe ADP has today (June 15) launched the global challenge ‘Play Your Airport’, which invites students, businesses, travelers and the group’s employees to reinvent the airport experience.
Edward Arkwright, deputy CEO of Groupe ADP, said, “The diversity of communities coming together around this bold initiative makes it the first of its kind in the airport industry. It is a powerful means to scour the globe to unearth new high-potential projects capable of revolutionizing the current airport model.
“This venture will serve to identify external and internal talents, and staff members who submit winning entries will be eligible to receive intrapreneurial guidance.”
‘Play Your Airport’ was developed in partnership with Agorize, a Paris-based firm which specializes in open innovation challenges. The Innovation Hub program is the result of Groupe ADP’s strategic plan ‘Connect 2020’, which embodies the operator’s commitment to openness, transformation and competition.
“We can’t wait to see the contributions that will support our studies on the developing Paris airports, in particular Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport Terminal 4, and active projects throughout our worldwide network of airports,” said Arkwright.
Each community will be guided by themes that Groupe ADP has identified: the city within the airport, the passenger experience, smart terminals, and the ‘zero environmental impact’ airport.
Submissions will undergo a rigorous, multi-phase selection process with juries composed of internal experts and qualified external figures. Challenge winners will be announced in January 2018.
The prize will be tailored to each individual community: The winning student team and travelers will receive plane tickets for a trip around the world. Businesses will receive up to €40,000 (US$45,000) in funding and support for a project in the experimentation phase. Employees will receive a study trip to the innovation capital of the world—Silicon Valley, California.
Alongside the new initiative, Groupe ADP also unveiled its plans to increase its stake in TAV Airports and to sell its stake in TAV Construction Aéroports de Paris.
TAV Airports currently operates 14 airports globally, and served 104 million passengers in 2016. Groupe ADP has been a 38% shareholder of TAV Airports since 2012. With this transaction, Groupe ADP will acquire an 8.12% stake in TAV Airports, for US$160m. This project of acquisition will increase Groupe ADP’s commitment in the company, with a stake brought to 46.12% of TAV Airports’ share capital.
Meanwhile, Groupe ADP will sell its 49% stake in TAV Investment to Sera Yapi Endustrisi ve Ticaret and Tepe İnşaat Sanayi for €9m (US$10m).
Written by Felicity Butcher