Over the past few years, we’ve seen big data and disruptive technologies grow by leaps and bounds to become commonplace. From ride-sharing services to smart homes, these technologies have redefined operations across various industries, led to the establishment of new sectors, and created new benchmarks for performance management.
The application of big data and artificial intelligence (AI) to the aviation sector is pretty new. The good news is that this trend is only going to grow across the aviation sector as more airline companies explore big data, connectivity, cloud storage, and other tech-based solutions to maximize their efficiencies.
Here’s why digitalization is here to stay.
Massive transformations
The private aviation industry has seen substantial growth after the 2008 global economic crisis. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, 2020 has been another remarkable year for this sector with new synergies and acquisitions taking place at a global level—all thanks to digitalization.
By scaling its operations and introducing company-wide digitalization plans, Visajet became the first charter operation in the world to acquire the Global 7500.
In the wake of the pandemic, private terminals are introducing new health and safety regulations. This includes procuring state-of-the-art, AI-powered, infrared symptoms’ detectors, such as COVIDCheck. By deploying these testing tools across various terminals, private jet companies can ensure a safe and smooth in-flight experience for all travelers.
Impact of big data on cargo carriers
Data analytics is expected to be one of the most crucial transformation factors for the aviation sector. Efficient data management can improve ground operations, result in faster turnaround times, and lead to better airspace management.
Similarly, with the help of data analytics, systems can communicate faster internally as well as with external service providers. Cargo companies, for example, can issue prompt warnings to notify operation managers when there is a high probability of a particular part failing within a certain timeframe. These kinds of real-time alerts can help procurement teams work faster, reduce downtime, maintain checks, and mitigate flight delays by replacing and fixing malfunctioning parts before they collapse.
Optimizing efficiencies across commercial airlines
Predictive algorithms will not only be able to anticipate machine wear and tear, but they will also improve efficiencies across the board. As global air traffic increases post-wide-scale global immunization programs, the need for more streamlined commercial air traffic management is crucial for the aviation sector if it hopes to work towards reduced fuel wastage. Big data can be calibrated to design optimal flight paths for all commercial aircraft in the sky at the same time. The information can be modified to adjust destination routes for storms and other disruptions and devise the best alternative routes in real-time.
Currently, the global civil aviation sector accounts for a considerable percentage of carbon dioxide emissions, with commercial airlines being the largest contributors. The biggest reason behind CO2 releases is aircraft that are circling airports while waiting for permission to land. Big data can help civil aviation authorities map out entire flight routes and have the runway ready before an airplane prepares for landing—saving time and fuel, as well as reducing carbon emissions.
As the aviation industry takes the next steps in its digital evolution, I strongly believe that big data can help airline companies improve their efficiencies across the board to make the most of economies of scale. The future of aviation is just getting started.
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Mitch Launius
Instructor Pilot for 30 West IP
Mitch is the CEO of 30 West IP where he is also an instructor providing pilot training on international procedures. With an illustrious career of over 34 years in the cockpit, Mitch has acquired over 13,000 hours of flight time flying worldwide, with over 9,000 hours of this in Challenger and Gulfstream aircraft. He is an experienced safety officer and was also an IS-BAO project manager for a fortune 500 flight department. He has presented on Safety and Operations topics at the NBAA International Operators Conference and the Canadian Business Aviation Association Convention and is currently on the NBAA International Operators Committee and serves as the North Atlantic Regional Lead. Mitch is also a member of an FAA working group on General Aviation International Authorizations and Tabletop Exercises (GIATE). He was recently selected to represent IBAC as a member of the ICAO Personal Training and Licensing Panel (PTLP) and was also recently named as a 2020 recipient of the NBAA Tony Kern Professionalism in Aviation Award for his contribution to the business aviation community.
Henry ‘Duke’ LeDuc
Director Of Operations, Americas, UAS International Trip Support
Duke has been a dearly respected member of UAS Americas team and the UAS global family for more than five years. A safety-oriented, FAA-licensed aircraft dispatcher, he oversees all of the operations of the elite UAS Operations Team. With twenty-five years of experience in aviation overall with more than fifteen years of experience in international flight planning and VVIP trip coordination, he is responsible for the development of the dispatch training program and involved in the strategic development of UAS Americas. With a myriad of rich aviation experience behind him, he has extensive experience in worldwide operations with both corporate and charter environments, including seven years as Operations/Dispatch Manager in an industry-leading, Fortune 500, IS-BAO Stage III Certified corporate flight department. Duke is frequently asked shares his knowledge at major industry events and is currently serving on the NBAA’s International Operators Conference (IOC) Planning Committee.
Dudley King
President and Founder, FlightBridge
Dudley is the Founder and President of FlightBridge, which he established in 2011 and has been focused on technology solutions for the private aviation industry since 2006. Since he graduated from Dartmouth in 1988, he has worked with an array of companies listed anywhere from VentureWire to the Fortune 100. A rare blend of executive, entrepreneur, and consultant, Dudley’s executive roles have included acting CIO positions for several companies and tech advisory services to CEOs trying to rebuild their technology organizations or looking for an external, professional point of view. Highly skilled at deeply understanding his customer’s business challenges and drawing from a long and varied experience in information technology services, Dudley excels at designing technology solutions to solve their problems.
Dr. Paulo Alves
Global Medical Director, Aviation Health, Medaire
Paulo has extensive experience in medical advisory in the aviation industry. As a cardiologist, he provides technical guidance and analysis for MedAire’s MedLink medical advisory service and is MedAire’s liaison with civil aviation regulators and industry associations. Paulo worked with Varig Brazilian Airlines for 23 years, 10 of which were spent as General Medical Manager. A member of the MedAire Medical Advisory Board, Paulo is also President of the Ibero-American Aerospace Medical Association, a member of the International Academy of Aerospace Medicine, a member of the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) Safety Committee, a Fellow of the Aerospace Medical Association (AsMA), and a Fellow of the Civil Aviation Medical Association. Throughout his illustrious career, Paulo has held industry leadership roles including Chairperson of the AsMA’s Air Transport Medicine Committee, President of the Airlines Medical Directors Association, President of the Brazilian Society of Aerospace Medicine and was a member of the IATA Medical Advisory Group from 2002 to 2006.
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