Accelerating Autonomous and Robotic Solutions for Airport Ground Handling

Airport ground-handling operations involve a wide range of activities that depend heavily on manual coordination, physical labour and the movement of people, vehicles and equipment. These processes include baggage handling, loading and unloading, transfers, equipment and vehicle management, operational decision-making and movements across the airside environment.

The increasing availability of robotic, autonomous and intelligent mobility technologies presents an opportunity to make these operations more efficient, traceable and capable of supporting the evolving needs of modern airports.

Through the Eureka Investment Readiness Programme (IRP), Turkish Airlines is inviting innovative companies to explore opportunities to work with the airline through its Terminal ‘Ecosystem Discovery Program’.

An online corporate session will provide innovators with an opportunity to learn directly from Murat Can Demir, Startup Programs and Ecosystem Manager at Turkish Airlines, about the challenge areas, potential collaboration opportunities and how companies can apply to participate.

What Is Turkish Airlines Looking For?

Turkish Airlines is seeking innovative companies developing technologies that can improve ground-handling operations, airside activities and physical airport processes.

The challenge is particularly focused on:

1. Autonomous Vehicles and Mobility Solutions

Solutions that can support:

• Apron operations
• Ground-handling processes
• Autonomous movement of equipment and vehicles
• More efficient operational workflows

2. Retrofit-Based Autonomy

Technologies capable of introducing autonomous functionality to:

• Existing vehicles
• Currently deployed operational equipment
• Existing ground-handling systems

This creates an opportunity for innovators whose technologies can enhance existing infrastructure rather than requiring entirely new vehicle fleets.

3. Robotic Systems

Turkish Airlines is interested in robotic technologies, particularly humanoid robots, that can support:

• Baggage operations
• Loading and unloading
• Physical airside tasks
• Repetitive operational activities

4. Humanoid Solutions

Solutions designed for specific operational steps that:

• Are repetitive
• Require physical presence
• Require on-site support
• Involve physically demanding activities

What Makes This Opportunity Different?

This is not simply an information-sharing session.

Turkish Airlines is looking for companies that are prepared to work with its operational teams and test their technologies in real-world environments.

Successful applicants may have the opportunity to:

• Engage directly with Turkish Airlines.
• Explore potential technology collaboration.
• Test their solutions within Turkish Airlines operations.
• Develop a pilot project with relevant Turkish Airlines teams.
• Demonstrate the practical value of their technology in an operational environment.

Technology Readiness Level

The opportunity is particularly suited to companies with solutions at:

TRL 6 and above

Applicants should therefore have technologies that are sufficiently mature to move beyond early-stage research and towards demonstration, testing and operational piloting.

Companies should also be willing to:

• Test their solutions within Turkish Airlines operations.
• Work collaboratively with relevant operational teams.
• Develop a pilot project.
• Adapt or refine their solution based on real-world operational requirements.

What Will the Online Session Cover?

The session will provide participants with an opportunity to:

• Learn about Turkish Airlines' Terminal ‘Ecosystem Discovery Program’.
• Understand the operational challenges being addressed.
• Learn about the types of technologies Turkish Airlines is seeking.
• Hear directly from Murat Can Demir.
• Understand the potential collaboration and pilot process.
• Determine whether their solution is suitable for the challenge.
• Learn how to apply after the session.

Who Should Participate?

The opportunity is particularly relevant to:

• Robotics companies
• Autonomous vehicle developers
• Mobility technology companies
• AI and automation companies
• Humanoid robotics developers
• Airport technology companies
• Aviation technology innovators
• Ground-handling technology providers
• Deep-tech start-ups
• SMEs developing autonomous systems
• Companies with technologies at TRL 6+
• Companies seeking corporate pilot opportunities

Key Opportunity Areas

The challenge creates potential opportunities across:

• Airport ground handling
• Autonomous mobility
• Robotics
• Humanoid robotics
• Baggage handling
• Logistics automation
• Vehicle automation
• Airside operations
• Operational decision support
• AI and intelligent systems

Event Details

Date: 15 September 2026

Time: 10:00–10:45 CEST / SAST

Place: Online

Speaker

Murat Can Demir
Startup Programs and Ecosystem Manager
Turkish Airlines

Next Step for Innovators

Following the online session, interested companies can apply to the Turkish Airlines challenge for an opportunity to discuss potential collaboration with the airline.

Companies considering the opportunity should assess whether their technology:

• Addresses one of the identified ground-handling challenges.
• Has reached TRL 6 or above.
• Can be tested within an operational environment.
• Can support the development of a pilot with Turkish Airlines.

About the Eureka Investment Readiness Programme

The Investment Readiness Programme (IRP) forms part of the European Partnership on Innovative SMEs and is co-funded by the European Union through Horizon Europe.

The programme facilitates connections between innovative companies and corporate partners, creating opportunities for technology validation, collaboration and potential market development.

Click HERE to register. 

Click HERE to visit the official website.