Best Emerging Aviation Technology Award

This award recognises the most promising emerging aviation technology developed by an entity on the island of Ireland, or by a company with a significant business presence here. Technologies submitted must be in early-stage deployment, pilot phase, or advanced prototype stage—demonstrating strong potential to transform aviation operations, safety, sustainability, or the passenger experience. To be eligible, the technology must have been developed or significantly progressed within the past 12 months. It must be at a stage where the organisation is confident to publicly showcase its development, functionality, or testing outcomes. The judges will be particularly interested in how the technology addresses current or future aviation challenges through creative and effective engineering, digitalisation, automation, or data-driven solutions. Each entity must submit evidence describing the size and nature of the organisation, its core products or services, and the context in which the technology was developed. Entry is by a 5 A4 page submission; the judges will be looking for clear, concise information supported by evidence, that addresses the following key criteria:

• Technology Vision & Rationale: What problem or opportunity in aviation does the technology address? Describe the original idea, the reasoning behind its development, and how it aligns with future trends in the aviation sector.
• Development Journey: Outline how the technology has evolved—from concept, R&D, and design, through to prototype, testing or early-stage implementation. Include key project milestones and any partnerships or collaborations involved.
• Degree of Innovation: How novel is the technology? Does it significantly improve upon existing solutions or introduce entirely new approaches? Explain how it stands out from other technologies currently in use or development.
• Practical Benefits & Early Results: Describe any results or performance indicators observed so far. These may include improvements in safety, efficiency, emissions, cost savings, operational reliability, or user experience—even if still in pilot or testing phases.
• Potential Impact on the Aviation Industry: What is the broader potential for this technology to influence or disrupt the aviation industry, both in Ireland and globally? Consider regulatory, environmental, economic, or operational implications.
• Scalability & Future Outlook: What are the next steps in development, certification, or commercial rollout? How scalable is the technology, and what is the organisation’s vision for adoption across the aviation sector?