Heathrow is looking for a sponsor for its iconic new ‘space age’ pod transport system.

The airport spent €35 million on developing the revolutionary new people mover system and is now looking to recoup some of the outlay by offering a company the opportunity to sign a seven-figure, three-year sponsorship package.

Airport operator, BAA, claims that the “unique sponsorship opportunity” could start as early as January 2012 and allow the winning bidder to "communicate directly with more than 500,000 passengers every year".

The sponsorship package includes the exteriors of the pod stations, directional signage within the car parks and terminal as well as exterior and interior spaces in the pods.

The airport says that the sponsor will also be able to take advantage of the digital video screens within the vehicles, which will play during the journey to deliver an immersive advertising experience.  

Juan Perez, head of media and sponsorship at Heathrow says: “The Heathrow pod system is a world first, making this a one-of-a-kind sponsorship opportunity. It will give the successful brand a unique way to engage with the high number of business passengers that come through Heathrow each year.

“We are looking forward to embarking on the process and receiving submissions from partners who, like us, recognise the exciting potential of this opportunity.” 

The tender process starts next week with potential sponsors and their agencies being invited to register their interest for a short-listing process culminating in an e-auction, hosted on an online portal. 

Heathrow’s battery powered, low-energy, driverless pods are currently used to transport passengers between Terminal 5 and its nearby business car park, although the system could be extended across the airport in the future.

BAA claims that its Heathrow pod personal transport scheme is the first new example of transit technology in 100 years.