Shift AI has gained recognition in a global challenge for addressing the aviation industry’s airport delay problem with their AI-powered asset tracking platform. The Toronto-based company’s system, which predicts airport vehicle and equipment failures before they cause delays, was selected among international innovators in the Soaring Higher Innovation Challenge launched by the Aerospace Innovation Hub, Calgary Airports, and WestJet in March 2025.
Overview of The Soaring Higher Innovation Challenge
In March 2025, Innovative Calgary’s Aerospace Innovation Hub partnered with Calgary Airports and WestJet to initiate the Soaring Higher Innovation Challenge. The challenge invited startups and companies from around the world to develop innovative technologies that improve air travel experiences.
Companies competed in three key areas: streamlining the booking and check-in process, improving baggage handling efficiency, and developing advanced aviation technologies for a seamless airport experience. Winners gained access to industry expertise and partnership opportunities with WestJet, The Authority, and Innovate Calgary to refine, test, and deploy their solutions.
By August 2025, the challenge selected Shift AI as one of the winners for embodying the initiative’s goal of transforming aviation operations. The company developed AI technology that tracks airport ground vehicles and equipment in real-time, addressing asset misplacement and failures responsible for flight delays.
Technology Behind Shift AI
The aviation industry faces ongoing challenges with operational efficiency. Approximately 30% of flight delays are caused by airport equipment failures and misplaced ground vehicles, costing airlines billions and frustrating millions of passengers annually. To combat these challenges, Shift AI’s fleet and asset management platform monitor critical airport assets to predict maintenance requirements before failures can cause costly delays.
Without taking proactive measures to ensure functionality, ground support vehicles, Passengers with Reduced Mobility (PRM) transport, and other assets can unexpectedly break down. Sana Srithas, Shift AI’s Co-Founder and COO, explained how real-time data and predictive maintenance can prevent failures.
“In aerospace, every asset plays a role in keeping operations safe and on time. But without accurate, real-time data, it’s difficult to know where things are, how they’re performing, or when they might fail,” Srithas explained. “By turning raw data into actionable insights, we help teams make better decisions, improve safety, and reduce costs, while creating smoother passenger experiences.”
Operational gaps caused by missing vehicles and equipment can disrupt flight schedules – a missing fuel truck, for instance, can delay up to fifteen connecting flights. Srithas highlighted how the system ensures that assets are readily available, improving the schedule behind the scenes.
“What people don’t always realize is how something very small behind the scenes can have a big impact on a passenger’s journey. Even a short delay in finding a fuel truck or a baggage cart can ripple across the schedule, causing late departures, missed connections, and a frustrating experience,” Srithas noted. “By giving teams visibility into where assets are and whether they’re ready, you reduce those hidden delays - and passengers feel the difference in smoother, more reliable journeys.”
Shift AI’s partnership with industry leaders presents new implementation opportunities, placing them at the forefront of connecting intelligent technology with aviation operations.
“This is more than validation. It’s the chance to co-create with leaders like WestJet and Calgary Airports, and to build something here that can scale far beyond this challenge and become part of the next generation of aerospace operations,” Srithas added.
Shift AI’s real-time fleet and asset tracking platform addresses vehicle and equipment misplacement and failures responsible for nearly one-third of flight delays. This AI-powered technology gained recognition in the Soaring Higher Innovation Challenge, leading to a pilot in a real-world airport environment with Calgary Airport and WestJet.
Such recognition reflects the rapidly growing trend of using artificial intelligence to improve operational efficiency and passenger experiences in air travel. As the aviation industry continues to evolve, the interest and demand for AI-powered tracking solutions are expected to rise.
