Can you win the Singapore Airlines AppChallenge?

The Singapore Airlines AppChallenge is looking for outstanding startups and individual innovators to take the aviation industry to the next level.

We talk with Travis Lim, Senior Business Technologist – Digital Innovation for Singapore Airlines, about the airline’s digital innovation initiatives, including the SIA AppChallenge 2019.

Keep reading to learn how you can compete in the SIA AppChallenge for cash prizes, proof of concept collaboration and networking opportunities with Singapore Airlines.

(Hurry — applications close on August 23!)

What is the SIA AppChallenge?

Part of KrisLab, the SIA AppChallenge invites start-ups and innovators from all over the world to propose solutions to business problems and explore opportunities in the aviation industry.

Last year over 1,500 participants from 73 countries formed teams and submitted 406 solutions during the challenge.

This year, the SIA AppChallenge also includes a new problem statement pitched at leveraging on digital solutions to enhance SIA’s Customer Experience, Operations and sustainability efforts.

Participants of the challenge have a chance to win:

👉 Apply for the SIA AppChallenge 2019 (applications close August 23)

What is the inspiration behind the SIA AppChallenge?

Digital is an enabler of the Singapore Airlines experience.

The travel industry is constantly evolving at an ever-increasing pace and around our region, as a result, we are seeing rapid change in the aviation industry.

We want to offer the best experience for our customers, while we optimise operations and create new business revenues through digital innovation.

What is the SIA Digital Innovation Blueprint?

We launched the SIA Digital Innovation Blueprint in January 2018 as part of SIA’s ongoing transformation to significantly boosting our digital capabilities.

The programme encompasses company-wide training and participation by staff in innovation projects across the group, including increased collaboration with global tech leaders, start-ups and research institutes.

Can you share a few examples of SIA’s digital innovations?

We are constantly looking at how digital solutions can enable us to deliver a more personalised experience for our customers.

Here’s a couple of examples:

• KrisPay — the world’s first blockchain-based airline loyalty digital wallet that enables customers to utilise their KrisFlyer miles for everyday spend at partner merchants.
• Our Customer Experience Management (CEM) system — a fully-integrated repository that houses information about our key customers, covering their preferences, likes (and dislikes).

CEM has been enhanced and integrated into the apps used by our cabin crew and our contact centre teams, as well as by our ground services teams when customers check in before their flight.

What sustainability innovations does the SIA AppChallenge seek?

This year’s SIA AppChallenge includes a new problem statement to leverage new technologies and data to improve SIA’s green impact.

Through the AppChallenge, we seek solutions for SIA to have visibility and to manage water and energy resources in order to achieve greater efficiency, in addition to engaging staff and customers in sustainable efforts.

Here’s a few examples of digital innovation that support SIA’s sustainability initiatives:

• We apply data analytics to expand and improve our fuel conservation initiatives by accurately measuring performance.
• We employ customer surveys, data analytics and staff feedback, and work with caterers to minimise food wastage on board without compromising on customer experience.

What is KrisLab and how does it partner with the tech community?

We launched KrisLab this year to develop innovative digital ideas that would enable us to fully embrace innovation and technology in all aspects of our business operations.

KrisLab provides a creative test bed for staff to collaborate internally, as well as to co-innovate with external partners and start-ups.

KrisLab is a platform that connects internal business units problems or staff ideas with larger tech communities — to bring in innovative solutions to take SIA to the next level.

Programs such as the SIA AppChallenge and SIA Accelerator are also provided by KrisLab.

— Thanks Travis for the insights into the SIA AppChallenge!

👉 Learn more about the SIA AppChallenge 2019 (applications close August 23)

This article was brought to you by Agorize — the leading online platform for open innovation challenges.