Across a myriad of industries, big data has played a role in enhancing the success of companies and corporations. One such industry is the world of aviation. From the moment a passenger purchases a ticket online to when that very passenger steps off the plane, big data is key in optimizing an airline’s process. Below we outlined key areas of utilizing big data technology in aviation.

Optimizing Sales

At the end of the day, airlines rely on ticket sales to stay afloat. Using big data, airlines can implement efficient marketing campaigns to reach the right customers at the right price. Optimizing ticket pricing helps maximize revenue while keeping an airline competitive with the rest of the field.

Screening Baggage

Baggage screening is one of the most time-consuming steps in a flight. To guarantee the utmost security for its passengers, an airline must scan each piece of baggage under close scrutiny for potentially dangerous items. AI-based algorithms paired alongside X-ray technology speed up this process without sacrificing security.

Managing Crew Members

The availability of pilots and other crew members varies each day. Properly assigning crew members to their respective flights is vital to avoiding staff shortages. Accounting for a multitude of variables is a task best assigned to big data algorithms.

Automating Maintenance Checks

Maintenance checks are time-consuming and expensive. This can be whether a plane experiences a technical malfunction or if it is due for scheduled maintenance. Nowadays, the most well-equipped airlines use advanced software to constantly monitor the health of their airplanes. Not only does this facilitate the job of airline technicians, but it also improves the quality of their work.

Reducing Fuel Consumption

The weight distribution of an airplane significantly impacts how much fuel it will burn during its flight. Algorithms developed by data scientists ensure that a plane’s center of gravity is optimally placed before takeoff.

Big data also assists airline pilots in determining which routes will save the most time and fuel when traveling from point A to point B. With fuel consumption accounting for roughly a quarter of an airline’s operating costs, choosing the most efficient flight routes can mean the difference between an airline’s success or failure.

These are only a handful of examples that highlight the applications of big data in the aviation industry. The world of artificial intelligence and big data is still a fast-growing field with many improvements to be made. Over the next several years, big data will likely play an even bigger role in the aviation industry than it does today. At QOCO, we are applying multiple disruptive technologies to help our clients, leading players of the aviation industry, to become more competitive and dynamic. For example, EngineData.io work as an integration platform for such operators and successfully support them in Digital Twinning, Big Data and Blockchain.

“Advances in aviation maintenance technologies will inevitably lead to exponential growth in the amount of data generated. Big data solutions will help to tackle challenges in utilizing the data, but finding solutions for sharing the data is equally important. Data should be shared with specialists who can extract the most value from it.” - Ville Santaniemi, Senior Partner at QOCO Systems

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