IATA has named Emirates Airlines and Butterfly Aero Training as the winners of its innovation awards.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has announced that Emirates and Butterfly Aero Training have both bagged innovation awards for developing solutions that enhance operational efficiency, safety, and sustainability.

In a press statement, IATA, which gathers together 320 global airlines as its members, says that both the winners were awarded the IATA Competency-Based Training and Assessment Centre Innovation Awards.

The statement adds that Butterfly Aero Training was recognised for developing an AI ChatBot that serves as a virtual instructor within its training programmes. This enhances learning by offering personalised, interactive sessions that adapt to the unique needs of each learner. The AI ChatBot facilitates an efficient and engaging learning experience which includes real-time question-answering capabilities.

IATA says that Emirates was recognised for developing a Mobile App dedicated to the safe carriage of lithium batteries. The Li-Battery Acceptance App complements traditional classroom training by providing immediate and clear guidance on transporting lithium batteries, based on their quantity and power. This solution contributes to the industry’s holistic approach to safely managing the risks associated with the transport of lithium batteries.

‘‘The evolution of the air cargo sector and the challenges that brings, including the safe handling of dangerous goods, requires innovative training solutions that are both efficient and accessible. Butterfly Aero Training and Emirates have risen to the challenge with forward-thinking approaches that not only meet the current demands of the industry but also adeptly position them to meet the challenges of tomorrow. We are proud to have them among the growing IATA CBTA Network of 208 centers,’’ says Frederic Leger, IATA SVP Commercial Products and Services.

The selection process for the 2024 IATA CBTA Center Innovation Award involved an evaluation by an independent jury, comprising industry experts, IATA representatives, and independent validators. Entries were judged on their innovation, potential impact on industry priorities and sustainability, user-friendliness, implementation feasibility, and evidence-based effectiveness.

Initiated in 2023, the IATA CBTA Centre Innovation Awards encourage all members of the IATA CBTA Network to implement solutions that enhance operational efficiency, safety, and sustainability. IATA says that the awards were presented at the World Cargo Symposium in Hong Kong.