Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide

Aerospace

BA introduces new Apple watch scanners

The use of the British Airways Apple watch app has quadrupled in just four months and in response the airline is introducing new scanners to make them easier and faster to use.

Customers will be able to slide their wrists under the new ‘Scan and Go’ devices to scan their boarding pass , print their own bag tags and speed through the airport. A total of 136 of the new gadgets are being installed at check in desks across Heathrow’s Terminal 3 and 5, and will be ready for use on 15 December.

Advertisement
ODU RT

Apple watches now account for more than five per cent of app usage, giving customers access to real-time flight status, gate information, a countdown to the departure time and the weather at their destination.

When the Apple watch launched, British Airways was one of only a few companies to have a specially developed app on the new smartwatch, making travel even easier for customers of the airline.

Kevin McQuillan, British Airways’ Head of ba.com and Mobile said: “We are always striving to make our customers’ journeys easier through use of technology.  When we saw the dramatic rise in the number of people using the app on their Apple watches we knew we needed to create new features in the terminal which would make the experience even better for them.”

Advertisement
PTC rectangle

The scanners can also be used by the five million customers who have downloaded the app onto their mobile phones. Early next year British Airways will also launch a new version of the app for iPads to give customers access to all the existing functionality of the mobile app and include Highlife Entertainment listings.

 

Advertisement
Gulfstream banner
GE Aerospace to expand UK and European production capacity

Aerospace

GE Aerospace to expand UK and European production capacity

19 March 2026

GE Aerospace plans to invest more than €110 million across its European manufacturing sites this year as it looks to expand production capacity, accelerate advanced manufacturing and strengthen delivery, including significant investment in the upgrade of multiple sites across the UK.

Boeing hosts UK supplier trade mission

Aerospace

Boeing hosts UK supplier trade mission

19 March 2026

Boeing has hosted its fifth UK supplier trade mission in Seattle, welcoming a new cohort of UK suppliers over two days for briefings, factory tours and targeted business meetings aimed at boosting opportunities for future collaboration.

Air Charter Scotland to continue Wick-Aberdeen-Wick PSO route to August

Aerospace

Air Charter Scotland to continue Wick-Aberdeen-Wick PSO route to August

19 March 2026

Air Charter Scotland have been successful in their bid to continue operating the Wick-Aberdeen-Wick Public Service Obligation (PSO) route, through to 14th August, 2026.

Anti-drone tech patents surge

Aerospace Defence Security

Anti-drone tech patents surge

19 March 2026

The number of patent applications for anti-drone (counter-UAV) technologies filed globally increased by 27% to 126 last year*, up from 99 the year before, according to new research from intellectual property (IP) law firm Mathys & Squire.

Advertisement
PTC rectangle
Marshall Aerospace secures five SAIL Mark projects

Aerospace Defence Security

Marshall Aerospace secures five SAIL Mark projects

18 March 2026

Marshall Aerospace is advancing its expertise in the UK’s fast-growing unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) sector after securing five separate SAIL Mark assessment projects funded by Innovate UK and the Department for Transport.

Jet Zero Taskforce’s first annual report launched at SSWS

Aerospace Events

Jet Zero Taskforce’s first annual report launched at SSWS

18 March 2026

The UK Government and aviation industry yesterday set out significant progress towards decarbonising air travel, as Minister for Aviation, Maritime and Decarbonisation Keir Mather MP launched the Jet Zero Taskforce’s first annual report at the Sustainable Skies World Summit (SSWS).

Advertisement
ODU RT
Advertisement
Gulfstream banner