SIA launches digital innovation blueprint, partners key agencies

SINGAPORE Airlines (SIA) launched its Digital Innovation Blueprint on Monday, with the unveiling of key bilateral partnerships with the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*Star), Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS), Economic Development Board (EDB) and National University of Singapore (NUS).

The Digital Innovation Blueprint is part of SIA's ongoing transformation programme under which it is boosting its digital capabilities.

SIA CEO Goh Choon Phong said that the partnerships with key agencies signify SIA's commitment to develop Singapore as a digital hub in the wider aviation and travel industry.

The tie-ups with A*Star, CAAS, EDB and NUS were unveiled at its launch ceremony on Monday at the Singapore Airlines Training Centre, where Minister for Trade and Industry (Industry) S Iswaran was guest-of-honour.

SIA's partnerships with CAAS and EDB establish joint support to foster a vibrant digital aviation and aerospace ecosystem, while a master research collaboration agreement has been signed with A*Star to identify and develop applied research partnership opportunities, which include research fields in areas such as data analytics, Internet of Things, and virtual and augmented reality to boost efficiency of maintenance processes.

Two memoranda of understanding were also signed between SIA and NUS. The first is to establish joint research and development projects in areas of digital aviation and travel experience, while the second is to collaborate with NUS Enterprise, the entrepreneurial arm of NUS, to co-develop new technologies, startups, and talent that can solve SIA's business challenges via a joint accelerator programme.

Mr Iswaran said: "I welcome this initiative as it will benefit not just the aviation and aerospace industries, but also the larger innovation ecosystem in Singapore."

On the collaborations, he added: "It is an endeavour that holds much promise and benefit for the SIA group of companies, our aerospace and air transport industries, and Singapore's broader innovation eco-system."