London Gatwick Airport (LGW) has announced a partnership with mnAi with the aim of using the platform to improve understanding of local and regional businesses across the supply chain.

The Crawley-based company mnAI, is set to provide an AI platform which will allow LGW to request proposals and quotes from local and regional businesses as well as supplying goods and services.

According to LGW, this partnership is also aligned with the airport's procurement policy, which expresses that all procurement-led requests for proposals and quotes (RFPs) must include a minimum of one local/regional supplier.

Richard Lennard, economic partnerships manager, at London Gatwick, emphasised how this partnership will increase transparency across business opportunities for LGW.

Lennard said: “As we continue our second Decade of Change, it is vital we increase our understanding of the impact our procurement decisions have on the local economy.

“I am pleased to be working with mnAi to gain greater insight into our local, regional and UK supply chain. This increased transparency will allow Gatwick to seek out and actively include suitable businesses in our RFPs for new opportunities.”

LGW has stated in its decade for change strategy in 2023, how partnerships and advocacy are set to provide a “thriving and resilient economy”. The airport said that by 2030, they hope to have at least 10% of all Gatwick purchases made from local vendors, with a stretch goal of 20%.

Alongside this, LGW is aiming for a minimum of 25% of Gatwick’s total annual spend to be with regional suppliers, with a stretch target of 35%.

Ricky Cowan, managing director at mnAi emphasises a step forward in collaboration for both companies and how this can impact future opportunities.

Cowan said: “This collaboration promises immense potential in the aviation sector. The work London Gatwick is doing by leveraging mnAi's extensive data sets is simply the tip of the iceberg.

“Our data spans a remarkable range, both in depth and breadth, providing unparalleled insights and actionable intelligence. Given the scale at which we can operate, we're confident this alliance will unlock unprecedented opportunities not just for Gatwick, but for the industry as a whole.”