Quantcast

Autonomous buses set for trial run at Changi Airport

Qantas launches mammoth Asia flight sale including Bali and Japan
New Update from Air Canada, WestJet, American Airlines, Delta, United, Southwest, Alaska, JetBlue Airways, and Sunwing: Airline Capacity Between Canada and US Slashed as Bookings Plummet Seventy Per Cent
Delta Cuts Two Domestic Routes
United Airlines Technicians Reject ‘Dead on Arrival’ Contract Proposal, Teamsters Say
The State of the Asia Pacific Airline Industry
Spirit Airlines to add Detroit nonstop flight out of Bradley International Airport
Major airline to launch new direct flights from Scotland to North America
Ryanair launches new ‘prime’ membership which saves passengers more than £400 a year
Judge Orders Boeing to Trial on 737 MAX Case
Qantas’ free international Wi-Fi to switch on from next week
The real reason Southwest is charging for bags now
Air France-KLM in ongoing talks with Air Europa on potential stake, CEO says
Frontier Savagely Shades Southwest After They Eliminated Longstanding Free Bag Policy, Sparking Backlash
Frontier Wants You to 'Divorce Your Old Airline' After Southwest Changes
Delta named one of Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies for sustainability initiatives
Passengers escape fiery American Airlines jet in Denver
Delta, American Dive On Slashed Outlooks; But Two Airlines Rally
Competitors are circling Southwest after the airline announced it's going to start charging for checked bags
Exclusive: Dominican Low-Cost Carrier Arajet Wants to Disrupt NYC Market
Boeing deliveries rise 63% in February from a year earlier
Transportation Secretary Duffy Lays Out 10 Ways the FAA Is Working to Upgrade Air Traffic Control and Make Flying Safer
EasyJet pilot Paul Elsworth suspended after flying too close to mountain
Delta Air Lines bets on ‘blended-wing’ flight to reduce emissions
Europe's airlines pivot to bite size M&A deals to limit cost, regulatory burden
Dave Emerson named new CEO of Virgin Australia, replacing Jayne Hrdlicka
Ryanair DELAYS controversial new boarding pass rule to avoid summer chaos
FAA Orders Inspection, Replacement of 737NG Engine Parts
Spirit Adds New Airport, Three Routes
Delta crash passengers should take the $30,000 payment, their lawyers say. Here’s why.
Budget airline launches new cheap flights to one of the UK’s top winter sun destinations
Autonomous buses set for trial run at Changi Airport
Research
Webp qj5munmfs624bdp2bm4w8syr8zw8
Joe Petrie Editor & Chief | AviationPros

SATS Airport Services Pte Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of SATS Ltd, the world’s largest provider of air cargo handling services and Asia’s pre-eminent provider of food solutions, SIA Engineering Company Limited (SIAEC), a leading aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) service provider in Asia-Pacific, and Changi Airport Group (CAG) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to start a proof of concept (POC) on the use of autonomous buses to transport airport staff around Changi Airport’s airside.

The initial two-year collaboration, co-funded under the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS)’s Aviation Development Fund (ADF), aims to contribute to Singapore’s journey to become a Smart Nation – the government’s vision for a digital-first Singapore that leverages technology to improve health, transport, urban living, government services, and businesses.

The POC, commencing in the third quarter of 2024, will validate the self-driving capabilities of the autonomous bus to gain confidence in its operational and safety performance. Monitored by an on-board safety driver, the POC will be conducted in two phases – the first phase in a sterile environment before moving to a live operational environment.

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

This collaboration is part of Changi Airport’s collective effort to automate routine driving tasks so that airside professionals can focus on more complex activities while presenting opportunities for job redesign and upskilling. The parties hope the POC will also encourage the wider development and deployment of autonomous solutions to improve airside manpower productivity.

“SATS is excited to partner CAG and SIAEC to trial the use of autonomous buses for airside staff transport with support from CAAS. This initiative presents the opportunity to develop the operating model for autonomous bus deployment in a live environment and gather data and learnings in readiness to scale autonomous airside staff transport operations,” said Henry Low, COO SATS and CEO-designate SATS Singapore Hub.

“This partnership furthers SATS Group’s vision of transforming aviation hub handling through digitalisation and automation, and we are proud to be an Automation@Changi partner to harness technology and contribute to Singapore’s Smart Nation journey,” said Low.

SATS Group and its global affiliate companies are also investing in several POCs of autonomous guided vehicles. This includes trials of automated airside cargo transportation vehicles and automated forklifts in airport operations and cargo terminals in Europe.

“SIA Engineering Company is excited to be part of this trial for an innovative bus service solution. As a member of the Changi Airport community, we are pleased to collaborate with SATS, CAG and CAAS to transform staff mobility at the airside. Advancing digitalisation and technology adoption is a key priority in SIAEC’s Continuous Improvement journey. Through seamless integration of autonomous buses into airport operations, we aim to raise workforce productivity, improve road safety and in the longer term optimise airside vehicle numbers to reduce congestion. This trial will allow us to understand technology aspects as well as future concept operations fulfilling staff transportation needs at the airside,” said Foo Kean Shuh, executive vice president operations and chief sustainability officer at SIA Engineering Company.

Yeo Kia Thye, managing director airport operations control at Changi Airport Group said: “CAG is excited to be on this innovation journey with our airport partners to trial the use of autonomous buses on the airside. This complements ongoing automation trials such as using autonomous vehicles for baggage transportation and automated Passenger Loading Bridge projects aimed at driving greater manpower productivity across our airport operations. We look forward collaborating on further innovation trials towards our vision an airport future.”

Organizations Included in this History
More News

On April 22, Earth Day is observed as a time to honor the planet and acknowledge the power individuals have to protect it.

Apr 23, 2025

Flying Food Group has been recognized for its commitment to sustainability with a reforestation certificate from Flex Technology Group.

Apr 23, 2025

From October 2025, Lufthansa Group, in partnership with Visa, is set to introduce a new online payment option called 'Click to Pay' on the booking portals of its airlines—Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, and Brussels Airlines.

Apr 23, 2025

Emirates is making strides in accessible travel initiatives as part of its operational strategy.

Apr 23, 2025

Flight attendant Ali Bahreman has petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to consider his case challenging a contract that barred him from using his seniority to bid on flight assignments due to his refusal to join the Transportation Workers Union (TWU).

Apr 23, 2025

Holland America Line has unveiled its planned itineraries for the 2027 Grand Voyage cruises.

Apr 23, 2025