The company discloses how innovations in products and services are enhanced through suitable processes which improve sustainability with respect to the company’s utilisation of resources and with regard to users. Likewise, a further statement is made with regard to if and how the current and future impact of the key products and services in the value chain and in the product life cycle are assessed.
The main issues of strategy and sustainability management, brand management and innovation, as well as guideline planning and master planning are dealt with within the Corporate Development division. The Corporate Development division therefore acts as the strategic link between Group and brand, an engine for innovation and the driver and guiding hand for the long-term and sustainable growth of the Munich Airport Group.
Munich Airport applies a systematic approach to innovation management in an effort to develop new, innovative, and customer-driven service solutions. Under this approach, innovation research fields cover the areas where key customer requirements meet major social trends.
Munich Airport’s innovation management strategy aims to increase customer satisfaction and enhance the customer experience through new services and products.
By analyzing trends and market needs, innovation management develops targeted innovations for passengers and customers. The feasibility and cost-effectiveness of innovations is reviewed in pilot projects and subsequently a decision is made on whether they should be continued, implemented and possibly extended to other divisions. Munich Airport’s innovation management unit cooperates in this respect with start-ups and established companies in the region, but also increasingly with global players so that it can continually access the latest scientific and entrepreneurial expertise.
Further important input for innovation management comes from the ideas of the company’s own employees. Some 604 ideas in total were submitted in the 2018 year under review via the in-house open innovation and ideas management system «InnovationPilot» on topics such as employees, spaces and buildings, and technical facilities and vehicles.
Munich Airport is fully aware that a major transport infrastructure can naturally also negatively
impact the environment. It therefore pursues an environmental program that is as ambitious as it is innovative, going far beyond legal requirements and industry standards. It is continuing to even further advance its role as a pioneer: Munich will become Germany’s first airport with carbon-neutral operations by 2030. All carbon emissions and reduction measures are managed at Munich Airport in its own CO2 database. This database documents all activities related to the area of carbon footprint, carbon reduction, and energy efficiency and thus allows these activities to be managed and controlled.