The Israel Airports Authority announced Monday it has selected three Israeli tech companies to lead the next wave of innovation at Ben Gurion Airport. The companies, chosen in the first round of the RUNWAY 2-6 innovation program, will pilot systems in security, aviation safety, and cyber defense—aiming to integrate breakthrough solutions into the daily operations of Israel’s main gateway.
The program marks the first time the authority has opened its facilities, led by Ben Gurion, to startups and tech companies. Out of 42 proposals submitted to the first call, three companies were chosen to test their technologies under real conditions, with close guidance from the authority’s professionals. The initiative is designed to address the challenges of modern aviation, from passenger experience to cyber threats.
The winning companies are Corsight AI, which will test a biometric facial recognition system and AI-based visual analysis to strengthen security; Towerlink, which will deploy a system for automated investigation of safety incidents in the control tower; and Salvador Technologies, which will present a hardware solution for rapid recovery of critical operational systems after a cyberattack or major malfunction.
The authority and the winning companies are now finalizing the exact testing scenarios and timelines ahead of the pilots. Once completed, results will be evaluated along with the possibility of future contracts. Lessons from the current round will form the basis for shaping future rounds of the program, with the goal of continuing to advance Israeli innovation on the global aviation front.