The aviation sector witnessed unprecedented growth in 2024, with total traffic, indicated by revenue passenger kilometers, advancing by 10.4 percent from 2023. The overall load factor hit a remarkable 83.5 percent. While the industry faces significant opportunities – such as advancements in air mobility and space exploration – it also grapples with challenges like elevated operational costs and ambitious sustainability goals, not to mention occasional technical hiccups. The sector is turning to cutting-edge digital technologies to enhance operations across various fronts. This article explores the impact of cloud computing and artificial intelligence on the aviation transformation.
Supporting air and ground operations via the cloudAirlines rely on extensive data across both air and ground operations to maintain seamless business operations. Crew and ground personnel require uninterrupted, 24/7 access to this information. Additionally, airline systems need to communicate effectively with each other — for instance, passenger service systems must interact with reservation, departure control, and CRM systems, among others — and with external services such as airport information or maintenance. Managing and hosting this data, along with facilitating necessary system integrations, demands significant resources that only cloud computing can offer. With unmatched scalability, cloud solutions empower airlines to adjust storage, computing power, and services as needed, enabling them to respond quickly to evolving circumstances. By ensuring a secure exchange of information, it facilitates the seamless operation of global systems. Airline professionals, including pilots and flight dispatchers, can access cloud-based applications, such as flight planning systems, from any location at any time using a mobile app or desktop interface. Since leading cloud service providers come equipped with comprehensive security features and compliance standards, airlines can feel confident in their data protection and regulatory adherence. Moreover, cloud computing alleviates financial pressures on airlines by reducing the need for upfront investment in on-premises infrastructure and ongoing maintenance costs. Empowering operations through insights
Artificial Intelligence is making an even broader impact on operational efficiency. Airlines are incorporating AI to automate various processes, from route optimization to technician reports and customer service, resulting in significant savings in both cost and time. Southwest Airlines, for example, utilizes AI to sift through historical data to pinpoint potential issues, enhance safety, and inform better in-flight choices. By automating and refining flight schedules, Ryanair elevated seat capacity by 38 percent. The carrier also applies predictive analytics to evaluate millions of data points to foresee mechanical problems a few days in advance. Moreover, AI-driven efficiencies are aiding airlines in minimizing emissions. For instance, since American Airlines implemented smart gating technology, they have cut down taxiing time by 17 hours daily, leading to a savings of 1.4 million gallons of fuel annually. Another AI innovation focuses on reducing aviation contrails and their subsequent warming effects on the environment.
Cancellations and delays attributed to “technical reasons” remain a significant source of passenger dissatisfaction and operational setbacks. Few sectors depend on resilience as much as aviation. AI and predictive analytics offer visibility into ongoing and forthcoming operations, enabling airlines to react to disruptions immediately, make timely decisions to bolster operations, and build resilience through proactive planning.
Fueling aircraft innovationsBeyond current operational support, cloud and AI technologies are paving the way for future advancements in aviation. The industry is analyzing vast amounts of operational data to conceive groundbreaking ideas for next-generation aircraft design. One notable innovation is the development of lightweight composite materials, such as carbon fiber-reinforced polymers, which have dramatically lowered the weight and fuel consumption of models like the Airbus A350 XWB and Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Another anticipated design evolution is the blended wing body, which integrates the fuselage and wings, reducing drag and enhancing the lift-to-drag ratio. Communicating with the skies
Generative AI presents immense potential for aviation, with applications already encompassing crew scheduling and customer service. Many airlines are adopting conversational AI to elevate the experiences of both passengers and crew members. For instance, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines employs a chatbot on Facebook to provide booking confirmations, status alerts, and assistance during delays. Lufthansa’s chatbot aids passengers in navigating airports. The Airbus Pilot Assistant provides pilots with real-time information and guidance for navigation.
Prioritizing safety
Today’s aviation advancements are equally rooted in both “digital” innovations and traditional engineering. Cloud computing and artificial intelligence are at the forefront of this technological transformation in airlines, influencing every aspect of operations, from passenger services and ground handling to navigation and inflight amenities. Nevertheless, as aviation companies embrace these technologies to foster growth, efficiency, and resilience, it is crucial to ensure compliance with relevant regulatory standards and ethical guidelines.
The author is Ashiss Kumar Dash, EVP & Global Head – Services, Utilities, Resources, Energy and Enterprise Sustainability, Infosys.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed are those of the author alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of ETCIO. ETCIO shall not be liable for any harm caused to any individual or organization, directly or indirectly.
