The Role of AI in Aviation

Artificial intelligence, or AI for short, has been in the news for a while. For some, it is a game changer to any industry it is applied to, making way for better operations and reducing the chances of things going awry. For others, this new piece of tech should be used judiciously. But whichever faction one is part of, it is undeniable that AI is here, and it is here to stay. Rather than looking at the threats it poses, it is time to look at how it can be used to augment what we do and what more we are capable of. And like any other industry, the impact of AI cannot be overlooked in aviation. Artificial intelligence in airline industry is making sweeping improvements.

In fact, by using AI in aviation, airlines and airports are charting their way to more efficiency. According to one report, the global artificial intelligence market will reach $2,22.5 million by 2025. So, how is the aviation industry jumping on this bandwagon? And how artificial intelligence in the aviation industry is changing the segment for the future.

Let's take a closer look.

Fundamental Components of AI in Aviation

How do you define artificial intelligence? In essence, AI is when a computer or software has the propensity to mimic human-like decision-making abilities, spot patterns, and learn from data. With time, these intelligent systems become better and more accurate in their predictions.

So, what fundamental components of AI are being used in aviation?

• Machine Learning (ML): As we said, AI can use data to make decisions. Artificial intelligence in the aviation industry can help predict flight delays, manage air traffic, and even provide curated recommendations to passengers based on their earlier preferences.
• Deep Learning (DL): Deep Learning is far more sophisticated, and the AI can interpret data through complex layered processes. Many airports have started deploying DL software for speech and image recognition to identify travelers or luggage and analyze customer feedback.
• Natural Language Processing (NLP): With NLP, AI can understand and respond to human language. With more intuitive artificial intelligence in aviation industry, airlines can use chatbots to solve customer queries, while voice-activated helpers offer up-to-the-minute information.
• Computer Vision: Computer vision is another important AI component in aviation. It helps computers 'see' images and analyze them. This is being used heavily in facial recognition software.
• Blockchain: Blockchain provides a much safer way to secure data across multiple computers and make the information tamper-proof. Luggage tracking and ticket management use blockchain heavily.

Artificial Intelligence in the Aviation Industry

1. Revenue Management

By using artificial intelligence in airline industry, airlines can employ AI algorithms to analyze data better, predict demand, and adjust ticket prices on the go, boosting overall revenue. AI will improve airline revenues by considering historical data, passenger booking patterns, and customer preferences such as time of day, seasons, and weather. All this can optimize seat prizes. In fact, Delta Airlines of the US employs AI-powered revenue management systems to do precisely this–the machine suggests, and the airline analysts refine the recommendations.

2. Air Safety and Aircraft Maintenance

With AI in aviation, airlines can tackle the issue of unplanned maintenance activities that lead to quite a number of flight delays, adding to passenger inconvenience. By using AI's capabilities, the aviation industry can improve air safety through data analysis from diverse sources like aircraft sensors, flight data recorders, and weather inputs. Airlines are in a much better position to identify potential safety issues while enhancing overall safety standards.

With AI-powered predictive maintenance capabilities, airlines can better track aircraft components in real-time, forecast faults, and plan repairs before they become crucial. This has reduced downtime, decreased repair costs, and improved operational efficiency.

3. Crew Management

Airlines, especially the bigger ones, employ many ground and cabin crew. The bigger the employee base, the more likely things will become confusing. Artificial intelligence in the aviation industry is helping airlines create better crew schedules. By using AI, airlines can ensure that each flight has the right mix of flight attendants with the appropriate skills. This helps in improving safety and enhancing the overall travel experience. Airlines like Malaysia Airlines Berhad already have a system in place with its five-year deal with IBS Software's iFlightCrew. The modern cloud platform helps optimize crew management by leveraging AI and ML.

4. Air Traffic Management

AI in airlines is not just to improve flight operations but also ground management, more specifically, air traffic management. AI can leverage real-time data from a large number of sources and project potential traffic blockages for air traffic control or ATC. AI can also calculate the best routes for safe and efficient flight. This can optimize how airspace is used while helping the ATC avoid traffic pile-ups. It also leads to better utilization of the time of the ATC and helps them in planning and managing future air traffic.

5. Personalization

AI in airlines is not just about operations and maintenance. AI in aviation is also changing the way airlines communicate with passengers. For airlines, improving customer experience is a top priority, and AI can have a huge impact in this area. AI-powered chatbots can handle a large number of customer queries, such as booking assistance and flight status, and provide instant help 24/7. As AI continuously learns from the data it gathers, these AI systems will continuously become better with each interaction.

Artificial intelligence (AI) in the aviation industry is not just about solving passenger queries but also about providing them with tailored recommendations about in-flight entertainment, meal preferences, and even travel destinations. Using AI, each level of an airline and customer interaction can be personalized.

6. Autonomous Machines and Processes

Self-flying planes are a concept of a distant future. However, some studies conducted by Airbus and Boeing show massive potential in this segment. These companies are confident their successful test run will propel autonomous technology to the forefront in the coming years. Meanwhile, at present, artificial intelligence in aviation industry is being utilized by automating other types of airport processes, such as ground handling, loading, fueling, cleaning, and aircraft safety checks.

Airbus, one of the leading aerospace companies, uses AI to analyze data from various factories, predicting when variations in the manufacturing processes occur. This allows them to tackle the problems earlier, when it’s easier and less costly, or even prevent them altogether. Predictive maintenance will also help the airline industry and aircraft manufacturers save money in the long term as there would be fewer parts replacements and overhauls.

7. Baggage Handling

Baggage claims can be a hassle for passengers. It is also an area where airlines have historically not done so well. Baggage handling is another area to utilize artificial intelligence in airline industry. Airlines can use AI-powered baggage tracking systems that substantially reduce instances of lost luggage.

8. Fraud Detection

For airlines, cyber threats exist at every level of operations. Ransomware, data breaches, and supply chain vulnerabilities can all adversely impact an airline's functions. Artificial intelligence in the aviation industry can help avoid these threats. How? As intelligent systems, AI can be trained to detect any anomaly in an algorithm, quickly zero in on isolated patterns, and prevent the spread of an attack.

Many airlines have begun employing airlines for this. AI's rapid response can avert potential flight delays and stop passenger data from coming into the hands of cybercriminals.

9. Internet of Things (IoT)

The Internet of Things (IoT) is at the heart of the technological transformation across airlines and airports. There is a golden opportunity to use artificial intelligence in airline industry. The underlying infrastructure must evolve significantly to support the massive influx of data generated by IoT and robotics. This includes deploying high-speed, low-latency networks to enable real-time data transmission, edge computing systems to process data closer to its source, and robust cloud platforms for storing and analyzing large volumes of information.

10. AR and VR

Another way to utilize artificial intelligence in airline industry is by employing augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR). These can be especially useful in pilot training. VR provides more realistic flight simulation training. For example, it gives a greater depth of perception, which helps create a more realistic feel of landing an aircraft. It is more cost-effective as the entire simulation environment is contained within a headset, compared to labor-intensive physical simulation cockpits – but more investment is needed to develop software specific to each aircraft.

However, it is essential to note that realistic VR can supplement some flying training hours but will never be a complete substitute for the real thing.

AI in Aviation: Future Trends

We are just getting started with AI in aviation. There are many more areas and cases of use for artificial intelligence in the aviation industry. While we have looked at the current state of AI in this sector, let's look at what the future holds for AI and the aviation industry.

• AI and IoT: Aviation systems will continue to become more interconnected and far more intelligent. Think of fully automated, smart airports, connected aircraft, and real-time data analytics, all working to provide a stellar passenger experience and, on the ground, make way for operational efficiency.
• AI-powered personalization: AI drives personalization in every segment, and aviation will be no different. By using artificial intelligence in the aviation industry, airlines will offer a more tailored and curated service and experience to passengers based on their likes and dislikes. This also includes targeted marketing.
• Regulatory Consideration: As AI's impact on airlines continues to grow, we will see more and more companies using AI to ensure data privacy. However, airlines should remember that AI does have its biases. After all, an AI system is only as good as the data it gets. This makes it crucial for airlines and other authorities to establish clear guidelines on the usage of AI.
• Sustainability: Sustainability is a top priority for any organization. It is also a consideration for customers when choosing a brand they want to use. Aviation is no exception to this rule. As the world becomes more environmentally conscious, there will be more pressure on the aviation industry to reduce its carbon footprint. By using AI in aviation, airlines can invest in sustainable aviation technologies. The development of electric and hybrid aircraft is on the rise and gaining momentum. Many companies have prototypes in the testing phase. Such aircraft promise reduced emissions without compromising on air travel quality.

Conclusion

We have spoken in depth about the long-lasting impact of artificial intelligence in the aviation industry. But what does it mean for people looking for a job in this industry? Would this mean that there will be fewer jobs with more automation taking place? Or would this mean a decisive shift like jobs on offer in the aviation industry?

It is true that AI is rapidly transforming how things get done in aviation. This means new job opportunities in areas such as autonomous flight, predictive maintenance, and data analysis, with roles ranging from software engineers to AI specialists and aviation operations specialists. If you are looking at AI specialist jobs in aviation, now is the time to start applying.

The aviation industry is on the brink of a technological overhaul, driven by the need to modernize legacy systems. AI is leading the charge. As we look to the future, artificial intelligence in the airline industry will continue shaping this segment, ensuring that airlines remain competitive while providing a sublime passenger experience.