Etihad becomes first airline to join UK’s Digital Aviation Research Project

Specific topics on which Etihad and DARTeC will collaborate include:

• reducing aircraft emissions both in the air and on the ground;
• creating a safe, secure and efficient airspace;
• improve understanding of the sustainability impacts of aircraft throughout their life;
• improve the passenger experience;
• increase aircraft reliability and availability.

Professor Graham Braithwaite, Project Manager and Director of Transport Systems at Cranfield, said: “We are delighted to welcome Etihad to the DARTeC project, with the construction of our building nearing completion at the research airport. Cranfield World. As an innovative airline focused on the future challenges of safety, efficiency and sustainability, Etihad’s objectives and DARTeC’s research themes largely overlap. We look forward to working together to deliver the innovation needed to enable the industry to ‘build back better’ after Covid-19. »

Mohammad Al Bulooki, Chief Operating Officer of Etihad Aviation Group, said: “Etihad has long been known as an innovation leader in aviation and our role in the consortium reinforces our commitment to driving the industry forward through to technology and cooperation.

“As an innovative and forward-looking carrier, membership in DARTeC is a natural fit for Etihad, offering a unique opportunity to broaden the exploration of key topics in sustainability, safety and passenger experience. passengers with industry-leading partners. With this new partnership, we hope to bring the best ideas, approaches and projects to Etihad to ultimately ensure that our operations are state-of-the-art and that our customers have the best possible trip.

Researchers attached to DARTeC are already working with industry on projects to rethink what airports and airlines look like after Covid-19 and to advance innovations in digital airspace and airport infrastructure that will help the Kingdom United to achieve its goal of net zero carbon emissions.

DARTeC aims to address some of the key research challenges facing the aerospace industry, including:

• the integration of drones into civil airspace;
• increasing airport efficiency through technological advances;
• create a safe and secure shared airspace through secure data communication infrastructures;
• increase aircraft reliability and availability using self-sensing/awareness and self-repair/repair technologies.

Breakthrough technologies such as the UK’s first operational digital air traffic control tower and next-generation radar technologies at licensed Cranfield Airport create a unique research and development environment.

Etihad Airways joins Aveillant, Blue Bear Systems Research, Boeing, BOXARR, Connected Places Catapult, Cranfield University, Inmarsat, IATA, IVHM Centre, Saab, Satellite Applications Catapult and Thales in the consortium, which has also received co-investment support from ResearchEngland.

For more information on DARTeC visit: https://www.cranfield.ac.uk/dartec