Objectives

FYI26

Fly Your Ideas is the Airbus student challenge, designed to inspire the next generation to pioneer sustainable aerospace and shape a safer, more connected world. By opening access to real industry challenges and experts, Airbus aims to spark curiosity, develop future talent and strengthen connections between education and industry. For the 2026 challenge, we're inviting students from universities around the world to use innovative digital technologies to secure tomorrow’s connected aerospace systems.

Register your interest and be the first to know when the 2026 challenge is live.

Register your interest
Airbus Digital Challenge

Airbus Digital Challenge

The challenge

With Fly Your Ideas Airbus is challenging students to show us how you would use innovative digital technologies to secure tomorrow’s connected aerospace systems.

Explore with us the digital technologies needed to keep data, networks, and operations safe and secure. This might include reimagining cybersecurity tools, developing smarter monitoring systems, designing clearer interfaces for humans, or proposing new processes that strengthen safety and reliability.

Paris Airshow 2023 Day 1 - Aerial view

Paris Airshow 2023 Day 1 - Aerial view

Prizes and benefits

Take part in Fly Your Ideas for a unique opportunity to grow, connect and be recognised on a global stage with learning and networking opportunities throughout. There are digital certificates for all entrants, industry mentors for all teams getting through to the second round, a guaranteed internship and career coaching for all finalists and an invitation to join Airbus at Farnborough International Airshow for the winning team in July 2026!

All participants will benefit from the chance to:

  • Develop key skills for cutting edge digital and aerospace roles
  • Explore innovative and emerging technology and tools
  • Connect with industry experts and global peers
  • Access career opportunities and insights

Frequently asked questions

What is the Airbus Fly Your Ideas challenge?

Fly Your Ideas is the Airbus global innovation challenge for university students which brings together teams from around the world to address real-world challenges facing the aerospace industry.

Who can apply?

The challenge is open to university students from all disciplines, studying at any university worldwide. 

What is the theme of the 2026 challenge?

The 2026 Fly Your Ideas challenge focuses on the use of innovative digital technologies to secure tomorrow’s connected aerospace systems. 

How many students can be in a team?

Teams must consist of three to five students and we encourage you to include students from a range of profiles and backgrounds for a high performing team.

How can my team take part?

To take part in the 2026 challenge, three steps must be completed before the round one deadline:

  1. The team leader must register first, provide a team name and create a team by providing the email addresses of up to four team members. 
  2. The team leader will be given a link to share at which all team members must complete their profiles. 
  3. Once at least three profiles are complete, the team leader can access and complete the team’s submission form which must be done by the round one deadline.

Note: all email addresses used for registration must be linked to a Google account. Your university email address will be requested for validation if needed.

Why do I need a Google account to register?

You are sharing your data with Airbus, which uses the Google environment. This helps ensure everyone is on the same platform. If you are selected for round two, you will be invited to an Airbus Google Space to connect with Airbus representatives.

Our team already has three members and is complete. Can we add more?

Yes. You can add more members, up to a maximum of five per team, until the round one submission deadline. 

What are the benefits of participating?

All participants will receive a digital certificate and benefit from the chance to develop key skills for cutting edge digital and aerospace roles, explore innovative and emerging technology and tools, connect with industry experts and global peers and access career opportunities and insights. 

What are the prizes?

All finalists get a guaranteed internship and career coaching. The winning team will receive an invitation to join Airbus at Farnborough International Airshow in July 2026.

Past editions

2025 - Team Aeromorph (Clinton, Oghosa and Junaid Ali)

Our winners in 2025 proposed the use of artificial intelligence for emergency landings by developing a vision-based hashtag AI co-pilot that identifies safe landing zones. Their innovative approach uses vision-based detection with reasoning demonstrated through heat maps, confidence bars, and obstacle alerts.

Paris Air Show 2025 - Fly your ideas

2024 - Team Drone Pre Check Flight (Nikolas, Luis, and Tom)

Our winners in 2024 pitched an idea to enhance safety through supporting pilot visual pre-checks by using drones and advanced technology to scan the aircraft outer structure for damage or potential points of fatigue.