British Airways owner IAG seeks early-stage tech in AI, drones
International Airlines Group is opening applications for its 2026 accelerator programme and is looking for startups to solve challenges in scheduling and aircraft maintenance.
International Airlines Group, the owner of British Airways, Aer Lingus and Iberia, is scouting AI startups that can help manage flight disruptions and scheduling as well as drone technology that can rinse down aircrafts.
It provided examples of the solutions it is targeting in 2026 as it opens applications for this year’s accelerator programme.
The IAGi Accelerator is part of the airline company’s open innovation programme, which is in its tenth year. It has so far partnered with more than 120 companies – including a record 30 in 2025 – to test and validate technologies in aviation operational environments.
As part of the accelerator model, IAG’s airlines and operating companies identify challenges they face that inform scouting for each year’s programme.
Other technologies it is seeking are AI-based optimisers for flight planning, and mixed reality solutions to enhance training and remote technical support.
Accelerator participants that have formed partnerships with IAG through investment from its corporate venturing arm, IAGi Ventures, and from forming commercial partnerships include Assaia, a computer vision technology to optimise airplane turnarounds; and Quantum Metric, a software that identifies friction in customers’ journeys to improve their experience.
Last year, IAG set up a €200m ($232m) corporate venture fund to invest in startups. The IAGi Accelerator is a 12-week programme focused on technology that it can start to deploy among the business units to meet specific business needs, while a 24-week programme supports earlier-stage startups developing promising new technologies.
See all the recent IAG-backed startup deals the CVC Funding Round Database
