Top 10 Tech Trends in the Airlines Industry

Unsurprisingly, the industry that boasts of being the fastest means of transport globally is also seeing rapid changes within itself due to technological advances being integrated into the airline industry.  

Whether you are a pilot, an air traffic controller, or a ground engineer, if you are someone who’s in the airline industry, this curated list of the top ten technological trends that are beginning to emerge in the airline industry are worth your time understanding to stay at the top of your game. Advancing technology has resulted in improved GPS systems, digitised airports, streamlined operations, improved engineering technics and reduced flight time and risks, providing a smoother experience for everyone. 

Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) and EVTOL Technology 

AAM is a concept that has the potential to offer short-distance air travel within cities, Electronic Vertical Takeoff and Landing or EVTOL is a key technology of this concept. As the development of electric energy-powered engines speeds up, EASA is now in the process of creating new regulations to govern new technologies, operational concepts, licensing requirements for operations and crew, allowing agility to adapt the regulations adopted by civil aviation authorities around the world. We are now seeing the introduction concepts of air taxis involving AAM and EVTOL, companies like Lilium and Ehang are already working to develop prototypes. 

Autonomous Aircraft 

Autonomous aircraft or unmanned aircraft are not something very recent, but their entry into the civil aviation is an interesting point, as they can cut costs and reduce human error. Last year the FAA (Federal Aviation Authority) allowed the delivery company Zipline, to make deliveries using autonomous drones out of visual sight and observations.  This may be a milestone, but the authorities around the world still consider a single pilot aircraft, much less a completely autonomous one, not possible at the moment. 

Predictive Maintenance 

In the civil aviation industry, predictive maintenance can help reduce operating costs by integrating technologies like the Internet of Things, which involves installing multiple sensors and data collection devices on the aircraft. It can be used for real-time monitoring of critical systems, improving safety and increasing efficiency. Regulatory bodies are supportive of IoT, but they will require strict compliance about data and information security. In August 2024, the FAA proposed some new standardised cybersecurity rules for aircraft around IoT technology.  

Flight API  

APIs or Application Programming Interfaces are being used in the aviation industry to bring about notable change. Various APIs are being used to track flights, ticket pricing, and flight schedules and can help airlines provide correct and updated information, making the process much more efficient. 

Artificial Intelligence (AI) 

Artificial Intelligence has been the buzzword for the last half a decade at least and its potential in the airline industry cannot be ignored. AI can enhance flight booking experiences through virtual chatbots, its predictive algorithms can signal out potential risks, and it can act as an intelligent failsafe mechanism in the case of emergencies. Airports across the globe have begun to adopt AI to manage passenger flow and analysis, airports like Mumbai, Heathrow and Beijing have already implemented such systems. 

Augmented Reality (AR) 

Augmented Reality’s integration into the airline industry can bring significant changes. AR integration at airports can also help passengers in traversing terminals and finding facilities. It can also enhance the retail experience at airports and on flights. AR has also been helping in ramp handling operations, ranging from refueling to handling cargo, making both much more efficient. At the Singapore Changi Airport, the crew use smart AR glasses that can scan the QR codes on luggage and cargo containers to ensure they go to the right place, which has reduced loading times by 15 minutes. Lockheed Martin and Airbus are amongst many companies experimenting with AR in their manufacturing and engineering processes by providing their engineers with AR glasses that can provide contextual and visual instructions during aircraft assembly. 

Blockchain 

Blockchain technology in the airline industry can help provide an extra layer of security to systems that manage and process the data of millions of passengers who travel across the globe through flights. It can also securely store aircraft maintenance records, including maintenance logs, manufacturing and component details. It can decrease the chances of fraud and smoothen the process of creating boarding passes. 

3D Printing 

3D printing, which is the process of churning out physical objects purely from a digital design, can help in the manufacturing of aircraft components, both small and large. 3D printing has an edge over traditional manufacturing methods as it can create designs that might be difficult or outright impossible for the latter to do. So far, the FAA does not have any special regulations for 3D printed components, but it must meet all the Technical Standard Order requirements as other traditionally manufactured components, recently in August 2024. ITP Aero, an aeroengine manufacturing company, was the first to get approval certificates for their 3D printed TP400 vanes for the rear engine structure by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the Spanish Aviation Safety Agency. This milestone paves the way for other manufacturers to try 3D printing and innovate new methods to create standardised parts.  

Safer Fuels  

The use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to fly aircraft can be an excellent choice amid the rising environmental concerns around traditional aviation fuel. Cleaner and safer alternatives to the current petroleum-based fuel are being researched. In recent years, sustainable aviation SAF has come into play. It is made from renewable biomass and waste sources; it can perform on par with petroleum but only give out a small amount of carbon footprint. The aircraft manufacturer Airbus has begun experimenting with hydrogen-based fuel options, either using direct hydrogen combustion to generate energy or use hydrogen fuel cells to generate electricity which can power the motors and the engines, we can expect the first commercial hydrogen-based flights to hit the skies in the next decade. 

Biometrics 

Biometric technology and its integration at the airports and in flights can help find potential risks right from the get-go, it can also help in easier boarding processes by comparing passengers' faces from the data available. 

As a company at the forefront with an extensive reach in the civil aviation industry, Brookfield Aviation International is pleased with the adoption and integration of advancing technologies in the airline business. This steady deployment also expands the scope for future innovations in the field.  

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