Aberdeen Standard Investment’s AIPUT fund (Airport Industrial and Property Unit Trust) has commissioned a new report that highlights the scale of progress and future potential for the adoption of automated transport and logistics technology at the UK’s airports, including London’s Heathrow, where AIPUT holds 2 million sq ft of buildings dedicated to supporting the airport’s freight and logistics service providers.
The report has been jointly produced by specialist UK aviation real estate consultancy ChappellKing and Dornier Consulting International GmbH and it explores the potential efficiency gains from automation across a plethora of airport-related functions, such as cargo-handling and logistics operations, as well as passenger transportation to and within airports.
“Autonomous technology promises enormous benefits to airports and the service companies that support them, transforming the way airports work and improving efficiency and safety, both for passengers and other airport users,” said Nick Smith, AIPUT Fund Manager. “At Gatwick, for example, 90% of the airport’s airside vehicles are stationary at any one time, which is both hugely inefficient and demands a vast amount of space. A much smaller pool of electric-powered autonomous vehicles would drastically cut costs, free up land, reduce emissions, and improve safety. In Düsseldorf, a newly-developed robotic car parking system has demonstrated a 60% reduction in required parking space compared to human drivers.”
A number of UK airports have already welcomed trials of a variety of autonomous technological applications. Heathrow was the first to complete a number of trials of automated air-side vehicles, in collaboration with IAG Cargo and Oxbotica. Meanwhile, Gatwick became the first airport in the world to trials the use of autonomous vehicles to shuttle staff across the airfield, demonstrating that autonomous vehicles can operate safely in highly-complex airfield environments.
“Airports and airport real estate providers need to be ready for the introduction of automated technology as soon as operational and safety regulations permit. AIPUT intends to stay ahead of the curve by embracing automation, working with our tenants and partners to build autonomous technology into our site masterplans; which we believe will adapt and future-proof our UK estate assets, ensuring that our clients’ buildings and facilities will be able to accommodate and benefit fully from the rapid development of autonomous technology,” added Nick.
The UK Government has recently announced its support toward the industry by offering a £22.4 million funding under the Industrial Strategy for off-road self-driving, which is believed to revolutionise productivity in a range of sectors, including mining, ports and airports. AIPUT will be ensuring that it is at the forefront of planning for and providing the cutting edge facilities that greater automation will require.
