The popular adage by philosopher Plato, “Necessity is the mother of invention,” aptly describes the remarkable changes in the aviation industry driven by AI, Machine Learning (ML) and data science. These advancements have not only revolutionized the aviation industry but have also set a precedent for other consumer-facing industries. According to a report, the application of artificial intelligence in the global aviation market was valued at USD 653.54 million and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 35.38% from 2021 -2030.
The technology has introduced concepts and features which were unthinkable two decades ago. Some of these concepts include gamification and social features, predictive maintenance, auto-scheduling and targeted advertising.
The necessity for such groundbreaking innovation is driven by aviation being one of the most challenging sectors. The aviation industry has slim profit margins and fierce competition in the vast travel and tourism ecosystem. The airlines face constant pressure to devise strategies that maximize profits and enable them to thrive and gain a competitive edge.
Therefore, leading airlines are already leveraging the power of AI to enhance data management, optimize operations and boost revenue streams. They are also implementing data science and machine learning algorithms to improve efficiency, prevent errors and increase customer satisfaction.
Some of the major applications of AL, ML and data science in the aviation industry include:
1. Gamification and Social Features
The airline industry has transformed significantly by integrating gamification and social features, revolutionizing customer engagement and travel experiences. Gamification techniques create an enjoyable and rewarding journey for passengers, with loyalty programs offering points and badges for specific actions and achievements. Interactive in-flight entertainment and social competitions further enhance passenger engagement during travel.
Social features play a vital role in building strong customer relationships, as airlines actively engage with customers through social media platforms, respond to queries, and provide real-time updates. Social sharing of travel experiences and influencer collaborations promote the airline’s brand and influence potential customers. These innovative approaches foster customer connections, improve services, and demonstrate responsiveness to customer feedback, shaping the future of air travel in a customer-centric direction.
2. Flight Safety Monitoring and Maintenance
Predictive analytics offers a robust solution for the aviation industry to mitigate the substantial costs incurred during flight delays and cancellations. By collecting real-time data from health monitoring sensors accessible via desktop and mobile devices, the technical conditions of aircraft can be promptly identified through alerts and notifications. This enables employees to address issues efficiently by replacing parts and receiving updates on machine operations through dynamic dashboards.
Consequently, predictive analytics helps reduce expenses associated with parts replacements, transportation, crew compensation for overtime, and unplanned maintenance. Furthermore, integrating artificial intelligence, including automated drones for detecting flight defects, enhances inspection efficiency, offering a comprehensive approach to ensure flight safety and optimize maintenance procedures.
3. Air Traffic Management and Collision Avoidance
The current air traffic management (ATM) system faces unprecedented challenges due to the rapid growth of air traffic. AI presents a crucial solution to transform the ATM system and unlock new possibilities. AI can automate various airspace management aspects, optimizing flight planning, route optimization, conflict detection and resolution, and demand and capacity balancing. By leveraging data from multiple sources, AI-enabled platforms offer efficient solutions for airspace users and service providers, reducing operating costs and improving efficiency.
AI also enhances coordination for Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) drone operations, enabling reliable and secure communications between airspace users. Moreover, AI-powered sense and avoid systems provide collision avoidance capabilities, processing data onboard and generating timely alerts for pilots and operators. These AI applications have the potential to reshape ATM and accommodate the growing complexity of the aviation industry.
4. Aircraft Design and Performance
AI plays a crucial role in aircraft design and performance by enhancing the efficiency and accuracy of turbulent airflow simulations. Traditional testing methods, such as wind-tunnel experiments, can be costly and time-consuming. However, AI-enabled computer simulations can automate various aspects of airspace management, including flight planning, route optimization, and conflict resolution. These simulations leverage data from multiple sources to provide optimal solutions, reducing operating costs and improving decision-making.
AI-powered “wall models” focus on modeling turbulent flow near solid boundaries, allowing for more efficient and accurate simulations without the need for fully resolved models. Machine learning, particularly reinforcement learning, enables the simulation to adapt to different flow configurations, leading to more precise predictions and potential savings in time and resources during aircraft design and performance analysis.
5. Baggage Handling and Tracking
In the aviation industry, baggage handling and tracking can be quite challenging, with millions of people traversing across airports to reach their destinations. AI is becoming a game-changer in terms of
handling and tracking baggage. Leveraging data-driven digital automation, AI utilizes photo recognition to track and reconcile baggage, enabling better forecasting and optimization of resources. Further, AI image recognition facilitates a connected and seamless experience, providing a future where baggage tags can be effortlessly matched to passengers using stored data. This not only enhances passenger autonomy but also eliminates traditional paper tag waste, contributing to a more sustainable future.
6. Flight Efficiency and Carbon Footprint Reduction
Every industrial sector worldwide is working toward adopting methods that help reduce carbon emissions without compromising day-to-day operations and output. The aviation industry is no exception. To reduce carbon emissions, the airline industry, responsible for nearly 2 percent of global CO2 emissions, is increasingly turning to artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to improve fuel efficiency. One significant area of focus is the development of AI-powered systems that analyze real-time data encompassing flight routes, distances, altitudes, aircraft type, weight, capacity, weather conditions, and more. These sophisticated machine learning models enable airlines to optimize aircraft performance, flight paths, and operations, reducing fuel consumption, minimizing emissions, and enhancing overall efficiency.
AI-driven predictive maintenance systems detect potential issues preemptively, reducing unscheduled maintenance and fuel usage. Furthermore, AI’s optimization of air traffic control contributes to decreased aircraft idle time and air traffic congestion, ultimately lowering fuel consumption and carbon emissions. By integrating AI solutions, airlines are taking proactive steps towards their sustainability objectives, fostering environmentally conscious and safe flight operations.
7. In-Flight Sales and Food Supply Estimation
Big data software analytics has become an indispensable tool in the airline industry, particularly for
in-flight sales and food supply estimation. Airlines leverage data to make informed decisions about food offerings and accurately forecast customer demand, leading to optimized inventory management and waste reduction. By analyzing historical sales data, airlines can identify the most popular food and beverage items on specific routes and at different times of the day, enabling better inventory planning.
Additionally, data from similar routes helps anticipate food needs for new routes, avoiding shortages or wastage. Real-time data from in-flight entertainment systems further allow airlines to customize snack and beverage offerings and entertainment choices based on passenger preferences, enhancing the overall in-flight experience. The integration of big data analytics enhances operational efficiency and improves customer satisfaction in the airline industry.
8. Airline Fraud Detection and Prevention
A report suggests that 46% of all online fraudulent transactions occur in the aviation industry. This has resulted in losses worth one billion dollars in the USA annually. AI applications and software have revolutionized fraud detection in the airline industry. AI can swiftly identify suspicious credit card transactions and eliminate fraudulent cases by analyzing specific customers’ flight and purchase patterns, along with historical data and algorithms. This not only ensures secure online transactions and high levels of customer satisfaction but also saves airlines and tourism companies millions of dollars annually.
AI-based fraud detection systems analyze transaction data in real-time to spot fraudulent activities such as credit card scams, identity theft, and account hacking, preventing financial losses and enhancing security. The sheer volume of daily transactions in the airline industry poses a significant challenge, but machine learning technology thrives on large datasets, enabling fraud prevention platforms to generate accurate risk scores and make informed transaction decisions. This reduces false declines and allows airlines to catch more fraudulent payment attempts while streamlining the process and enhancing the consumer experience.
9. Biometric Boarding and Checking
The aviation industry is witnessing a significant increase in biometric automation at airports, especially after the travel hiatus caused by the pandemic. Biometrics, such as facial recognition, is used to automate and verify identity at various stages, providing enhanced security and efficiency for travelers.
Many airports, airlines, and government agencies have continued to invest in biometric advancements, primarily due to the need for social distancing and contactless interactions. Facial recognition technology, known to be at least 99.5 percent accurate, has emerged as a preferred choice for biometric boarding. Passengers can now use their facial scans for smoother and safer boarding procedures compared to images from border control agency databases. By capturing and authenticating ID photos using AI and edge technology, airlines enable faster check-ins and seamless passenger travel experiences.
Integrating AI ML and data science in the aviation industry has opened up new opportunities for growth, efficiency and customer satisfaction. Predictive analytics can improve the accuracy of aircraft design and
air traffic management. Gamification and social features are two critical aspects of innovation in the airline industry that have transformed how airlines engage with customers and enhance their overall travel experience. As the aviation industry continues to embrace these innovations, the future holds even greater promise for a seamless and intelligent aviation ecosystem.
