Changing Gears to Digital: Massive Innovation & Far-Reaching Technologies Transforming the Aviation Industry

By: Aveek P. Chaudhuri, Asia Business Outlook Team

Not touted by the effects of the digital wave, the aviation industry has created a ripple effect in different industries and organizations. Not being among the pioneers of the digital revolution, the aviation industry has been creating a new wave of technology and by following the trends for staying aligned with the demands and expectations of modern passengers, it is among the reaction for introducing low-cost carriers as a preferred choice for passengers. Travellers now expect a completely personalized experience, right from the booking stage to the completion of the journey. The aviation industry is now able to leverage sentiment analysis for the determination of their customer requisites and henceforth formulate strategy in accordance.

Resources

According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), it has been determined that the technologies and factors that will be defining how aviation industry is shaping the aviation sector. The identified technologies include cyber security, robotics and automation, 3D printing, new manufacturing techniques, virtual reality, augmented reality, IoT, big data, alternative fuels and energy sources, new aircraft designs, alternative modes of rapid transit, and geospatial technology for being prominent in the aviation sector future.

Some of the major driving components of the ever-changing aviation industry include - Society, Environment, Politics, Economy, and Technology. However, the experts in the aviation sector sometimes struggle to control the societal, environmental, political and economic factors, which are then, referred to the technology section from the operation rooms. The futuristic alternate travel modes include the hyperloop, where the growing prominence of the exclusive sophisticated AR/VR technology of the aviation sector is in a dynamic state. However, air travel is still the highly preferred mode for long-distance journeys, where the tables might turn on the sector when it fails in adapting and aligning with the latest technologies.

Artificial Intelligence

According to a new market study, it has been predicted that a CAGR of 46.4 per cent of AI in the aviation market will be achieved. AI is used as a delivery medium and a more personalized travelling experience bearer for passengers. The maximum customer rewards are achieved from the technology of Artificial Intelligence, which is more personalized, optimized and upscaled. The digital interactions between airlines and passengers, facilitated by technologies of AI and ML are applied to the social sentiment of the passengers. The technology also helps the airline industry for curating the services as per the requisites of the passengers.

Big Data

The shift from ancient technologies to modern digital platforms has democratized data empowerment of the sectors. The experts are involved in taking strategic decisions which are baked on facts. The technologies are coupled with AI and ML, and big data. Data is gaining the reputation of being the most valuable asset in the digital age, which is only utilized wisely for proactive data mining techniques for the development of a robust plan that has a high probability of succeeding.

Automation

While machines are becoming smarter with the inclusion of the latest technologies, planes without pilots are soon becoming a reality. Technologies such as hybrid RPA integrated with the cognition of AI can make aircraft complete a trip without manual intervention. Planes can complete a major part of the flight on auto-pilot mode, where manual pilots are taking over control only during the time of take-off and landing.

In the time of uncertainties and risks that are involved during a flight, it is likely to have a flight in the future that is not operated by onboard manual pilots. The unpredictable properties of machines are making them unreliable during an emergency, which is why it is required to have a human pilot to man the plane and complete the flight without trouble.

Workforce and Skills

Most of the population is moving towards the future of advanced planes and automated flights, but it is not possible for realizing with success the vision without bridging the existing skill gap in the present workforce. Experts including pilots, employees, engineers, air-traffic controllers and safety inspectors need to upskill their capabilities for staying in line with upcoming digital aviation and compete with utmost providence.

There are a lot of legal and moral changes that are involved in overseeing the transition of automation from manual. With automation prevalence, some of the jobs in the sector will be replaced by machines, however, there will be manual resource positions created.

Biometrics

Technologies such as biometrics which are implemented in facial recognition, fingerprint authentication, and retinal scanning will become the default way of verification. Biometric system integration is helping in border control, airport check-ins, onboarding, and migration formalities and the entire verification process are soon becoming paper free. The result consideration is showing an extension to the baggage claim process, which will allow passengers to keep a real-time track of their luggage.

Conclusion

The world is witnessing an increase in interconnected technologies and connectivity is becoming a business of necessity. The airline passengers are expected to even instigate in-flight connectivity in the coming days while getting eradicating the requisite to switch-off phones in the air. After the circulation of free Wi-Fi services in the airports, now airlines are also starting to include the provision inside the flights. In recent times, Delta airlines took the initiative for providing Wi-Fi on all domestic and international flights for allowing passengers experience an entertaining flight journey.