The San Diego County Regional Airport Authority and Detecon Innovation Institute (DII), Innovation Lab’s third-party operator, has released two call-outs for participants for its new accelerator program.
One opportunity will focus on airport parking, while the other will focus on ways to assist passengers with unique needs to simplify their journey through the airport.
Those selected will participate in a 16-week program to prepare them to present to the Airport Authority, with the possibility of getting a contract and gaining experience for work in other airports. It is preferred that applicants will have prototype innovations almost ready to test in the airport environment.
Rick Belliotti, the Airport Authority’s director of innovation and small business development, said, “In general, we want innovations that improve the airport experience for everyone. Our driving goal is about enhancing customer satisfaction and the overall airport experience.
“Successful innovations from the parking opportunity will add value to the airport parking experience to attract and retain customers. The customer service opportunity will pursue innovative solutions to reduce complexity and help people in whatever ways they need to more easily traverse the airport from curb to gate and vice versa.”
The Airport Authority established the Innovation Lab in part of the former commuter terminal, which was decommissioned in June 2015. The 3,500ft² space offers a functional mini-terminal area with ticket counters and a bag claim carousel, all without passenger or security concerns to work around.
In addition to being deployed at San Diego International Airport, successful innovations could be rolled out to other airports and analogous businesses, such as shopping malls, convention centers and other transportation hubs.