Stoyan Mitov is the CEO of Dreamix, a custom software development company helping tech leaders increase capacity without giving up quality.
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The aviation sector is renowned for its innovation, ranking high in R&D investment across industries. Key players prioritize being up to date with emerging software trends and investing in cutting-edge technologies. This forward-thinking approach becomes especially crucial during times of opportunity, such as the industry's current recovery phase after the pandemic.
What’s more, projections by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) indicate a return to and potential surpassing of pre-pandemic air passenger levels by 2024.
As the CEO of a company specializing in custom aviation software, I've seen a rising focus on tailored solutions to help aviation companies improve customer satisfaction, boost operational efficiency and stay competitive in the market. Let’s dive into four common use cases I’ve seen recently.
Eliminating Airport Queues
With the rise of AI, forward-thinking industry players already challenge software development experts to find new ways to solve one of their biggest challenges: eliminating airport queues. Since technological advancements now allow better data analysis, experts are already enabled to develop and integrate more precise custom solutions to fulfill the specific needs of airports and aviation companies. Some of these include:
• Predictive modeling and AI algorithms to forecast passenger volumes and arrival patterns, anticipate peak times and deploy staff more effectively to prevent queues from forming or escalating
• Automated baggage handling systems to reduce the risk of baggage-related queues and delays
• Virtual queuing systems to enable passengers to join a virtual queue via their mobile devices, allowing them to wait remotely until it's their turn to reduce congestion in airport terminals
Fast-Tracking Adoption Of Regulations And Technologies
Custom software development is key for aviation and aeronautical companies aiming to embrace regulations and innovative technologies ahead of schedule. This proactive approach not only boosts their competitive advantage but also demonstrates their dedication to staying at the forefront of industry standards and advancements. Some of these regulations include:
FF-ICE
The aviation industry plans to adopt the new FF-ICE information exchange standard by 2028 to improve strategic flight planning and coordination. FF-ICE, part of the ICAO Global ATM Concept, standardizes flight planning and trajectory management globally. It promotes information sharing for better decision-making, enabling optimized flight paths and enhancing air traffic management. With FF-ICE, all ATM stakeholders collaborate dynamically and share data and common operational views.
ADS-C EPP
Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Contract Extended Projected Profile (ADS-C EPP) is a cutting-edge system revolutionizing flight profiles and fuel consumption by transmitting real-time flight path information to air controllers. It includes a fourth dimension—time—ensuring pinpoint accuracy in aircraft location for optimized flight paths. Tested in 2019, it's now nearing mass adoption and will be mandatory for all new aircraft and air traffic systems by 2028. Industry players have limited time to adopt this groundbreaking technology.
Net-Zero Emissions
Air travel is rebounding, but so are CO2 emissions, nearly quadrupling since 1960. With air travel numbers rising, emissions are following suit. However, major airlines are committing to carbon-neutral goals. Additionally, the sustainable aviation fuel market is projected to grow significantly by 2030 and beyond. This industry focus on environmental sustainability is not only a moral imperative or a competitive gain but also crucial for business metrics like ESG ratings, with severe penalties for non-compliance.
ONE Order
Airlines are using passenger data to enhance the flying experience, aiming for more personalized services. The ONE Order initiative represents this trend, replacing PNR bookings with a comprehensive, customer-centric XML standard. This detailed passenger profile enables personalized marketing and in-flight services. While ONE Order has been in existence for years, its adoption is accelerating, with IATA projecting widespread use by 2025.
Enhancing Airlines' Customer Communication Experience
Other aviation companies committed to innovation and superior service delivery are focusing on enhancing their customer communication systems. By developing and implementing a custom solution, they can achieve faster email processing, personalized customer interactions and progress in cloud migration.
Understanding the importance of customer experience (CX) is crucial for airlines, as it directly impacts customer loyalty and revenue. While CX may seem intangible, its impact is significant: Deloitte reports that nearly 60% of travelers would switch airlines for a better experience (pg. 7).
Automated Invoicing
In the aviation world, dealing with invoices can be a hassle due to the high volume and international nature of transactions. As aviation companies work to bounce back after the pandemic, sorting out these issues is crucial.
That's where automation can step in to make things smoother. It helps streamline how invoices are handled, strengthens relationships with vendors, speeds up validation of costs and makes managing large numbers of invoices easier.
By integrating such custom systems, airlines can get valuable insights, work more efficiently and collaborate better, ultimately boosting their financial health and operations.
Custom Software Development Challenges In Aviation
Tailored aviation solutions can enable the integration of advanced features to improve the accuracy, scalability and flexibility of aviation companies. However, custom development inevitably poses challenges that, if not handled properly, lead to hassle and wasted resources.
• Finding The Right External IT Vendor: The unique requirements of the aviation sector demand specialized knowledge, making it crucial to find professionals who understand both technology and aviation intricacies. Effective communication, cultural fit and proper project management afterward are just as challenging and crucial.
• Time And Cost: Balancing cost-effectiveness while delivering high-quality solutions on time requires careful planning and budget management from both sides. Custom development, however, may require months, even years. The lack of transparent communication from both sides, as well as a lack of deep understanding of the business needs, may result in timely and costly delays.
To Sum Up
From predictive modeling to fast-tracking the adoption of new standards, bespoke solutions offer tailored approaches to industry needs to boost efficiency and innovation in the aviation domain.
As we aim toward new heights, the collaborative efforts of aviation companies and technology providers pave the way for a more streamlined and customer-centric aviation experience.
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