5 recent trends in aviation solutions
5 recent trends in aviation solutions
Aviation has experienced unprecedented change over the past decade as fundamental shifts in the way people travel for work and pleasure have transformed the industry.
The rise of low-cost airlines has brought international travel to the masses, while advances in technology have transformed inflight experiences. However, the aviation industry is not one for standing still.
Several new technologies from outside aviation are set to transform passenger experiences even further in the coming years, while the move away from fossil fuels has forced airlines to look at more environmentally friendly alternatives.
So with all that in mind, let’s look at five trends in aviation that are set to dominate the industry over the next 12 months.
Elevated passenger experiences
Airlines have been focused on improving the flying experience for a while now, but many airports have failed to keep up. All this looks set to change, however, with the widespread introduction of the following technologies:
Baggage check-in: Airports will continue to roll out RFID luggage tags to improve baggage tracking at the airport. This should help to reduce queuing and allow passengers to track their luggage via a smartphone or tablet.
Airport transportation: Inter airport transportation systems continue to be rolled out across major airports in Asia, Europe and North America. Examples include robotic car parking at Gatwick Airport and the inter-terminal Skytrain at Singapore Changi Airport.
Artificial intelligence
Ever-increasing security demands will see the use of autonomous artificial intelligence (AI) based systems being expanded. These should help to speed up passenger screening and improve security at the airport.
One such example is improved passenger screening using biometric information collected through facial recognition software. This will help to reduce queuing times and automate other processes to reduce the number of security staff required.
Sustainable fuels
The global aviation industry is ramping up efforts to create environmentally friendly and sustainable fuels. Several biofuels are currently being tested that promise to significantly lower the carbon footprint of the industry.
Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) are currently more expensive to produce than fossil-based fuels, but the hope is that by expanding production and increasing research and development, the cost can be brought down to a level similar to fossil fuels.
Virtual reality headsets
Airlines and airports are both continuing to implement Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) to improve passenger experiences both in the terminal and during the flight.
For example, both Emirates and Etihad are rolling out SkyLights immersive VR headsets as part of a fleet-wide inflight entertainment upgrade. Emirates is also using AR technology to showcase aircraft interiors on the company’s website.
Health monitoring
The coronavirus looks set to influence air travel for the foreseeable future. If faith in the industry is to be maintained post-pandemic, both airports and airlines will need to improve their health screening processes.
Current screening methods consist of questionnaires and manual temperature monitoring, but systems are being developed using touchless biometric technology to create a more streamlined and robust system.
In the meantime, airports should increase the availability of handwashing stations, create negative pressure rooms to house passengers with symptoms and implement UV cleaning for personal effects and carry-on luggage.
Our specialists are here to help
Bayanat Engineering can provide support to airlines and airport authorities looking to implement any of the above technologies.
Our team of aviation specialists has experience designing and installing various solutions, including baggage reconciliation systems, passenger tracking and counting systems, automated check-in and boarding systems, and integrated security systems.