The U.S. Airline Industry Takes Off
With Innovative Technologies
When it comes to how much the U.S. airline industry can adopt new technologies for its operations, it would be appropriate to borrow the phrase, “the sky’s the limit.” According to a recent Accenture report, more than 85 percent of airline executives said that technology driven change will increase rapidly in the airline sector over the next three years. The report also found that 39 percent of airlines see that the industry is ripe for disruption, compared with 37 percent of companies in other industries.
Many U.S airlines are or are planning to launch innovative technologies to enhance customer satisfaction and loyalty, increase airline safety and security to use as a competitive measure against digital disrupters and other challengers. But, according to the report, airlines see their competitors as the primary threat rather than disrupters in other industries, which the report said was a “serious mistake.” For example, Google is said to be currently amassing vast quantities of data, including location specific information from users, which means that the tech Goliath will learn more about airline passengers than the airlines.
Meanwhile, the airline industry is taking off with emerging technologies such as intelligent automation. More than half of all airlines have realized savings through this technology, ranging from online self check-in systems to automated passport control and customs clearance. Other new technologies destined for the airline industry include drones used to fly over planes which would send data to help make better assessments of a plane’s reliability, or sensors embedded inside the planes that could send reports on airworthiness, stability and fuel efficiency to an airlines’ central control system. Even augmented reality technology is seen to play a role, allowing engineers to “look through” aircrafts and inspect individual parts for wear and tear.
According to Bhupender Singh, CEO of Intelenet Global Services, “The airline industry is undergoing significant transformation in order to meet the increasing demands of passengers, airports, regulators, travel agents and others in the air travel ecosystem. Airline carriers are using or exploring new technologies as a means of gaining a competitive advantage. Whether it’s modifying or adding new services to enhance the air travel experience for passengers, or initiating new processes to ensure greater safety and security for the air travel sector.”
As digital and connected offerings increase across sectors, and with the global airline industry continues to be unpredictable. Delays, cancellations, and dated processes not only lead to decreased customer satisfaction, but can also pose a more serious threat to the business as a whole. To combat this reality, carriers and OTAs are realizing the benefits of partnering with IT outsourcing experts who can integrate artificial intelligence tools into their business models, thus streamlining services and optimizing customer experience.
