Aurrigo to trial its autonomous aviation technology with British Airways owner IAG

Self-driving and autonomous vehicle specialist Aurrigo International announced a strategic partnership with British Airways owner International Airlines Group (IAG) on Tuesday.

The Coventry-based firm said the collaboration would see the deployment of a small fleet in H1 2025 following a four-month trial.

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The trial programme and deployment of Aurrigo's vehicles - valued at £250,000 - will involve the Auto-DollyTug baggage vehicle, the Auto-Cargo air-freight vehicle and Aurrigo's Auto-Sim aviation operations simulation software.

David Keene, CEO of Aurrigo, said: "This partnership with one of the world's largest airline groups is a great endorsement of the capabilities of our technology and the potential of automation to improve efficiencies and solve the challenges facing modern aviation."

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Jorge Saco, Chief Information, Procurement, Services, and Innovation Officer at IAG, added: "IAG is dedicated to supporting innovation which can transform aviation efficiencies and improve ground operations. Automation at airports is a key focus for us and having assessed our options we are pleased to be working with Aurrigo.

"We first trialled the prototype Auto-Dolly in 2019 and after revisiting it post-Covid, we were impressed by how far their vehicle capabilities have progressed. We look forward to this technology helping to build our leadership position in aviation automation."