As we look down the barrel of the closing months of 2023 (with next month’s COP28 already promising to be another important yardstick for the global aviation industry to measure its future net-zero ambitions) it’s the ideal time to reflect on this ‘settling year’, where passenger numbers have finally stabilised post-pandemic. The industry, stuck for so long in survival mode, is now able to draw a collective breath and prepare for the next stage of development that will see individual airports and carriers either rise to the challenges of next-generation air travel, or fall by the wayside.
As always, the hand of technology hovers closely over this question of who will adapt successfully to the remarkable new aviation landscape. It’s a market that’s more demanding than ever, where global governments demand the delivery of more sustainable air travel and freight, while everyday consumers want to rediscover their wanderlust but without unduly damaging the environment.
Yet again, leading airport operators are turning to technological solutions to ‘square the circle’ and deliver next-generation air travel experiences that meet rising consumer expectations while also securing the kind of sustainable infrastructure that will form the basis of a new, futureproofed aviation industry.
The following are our predictions for the most important tech trends that will emerge, deepen and persist into 2024 and the rest of the decade.
Advanced robots will grow their presence in airport operations, construction and maintenance
Robots of all shapes, sizes and functions will continue to increase their presence throughout the airport ecosystem. Throughout 2023, we’ve seen a slew of new examples of robotic sorting assistants in baggage handling operations, plus cleaning, information and even security robots coming face to face with customers in terminals from South America to South Korea. Since labour costs traditionally comprise around 25% of airport running costs (Forbes thinks this will rise to 40% or higher in the coming years), robots are an attractive pathway towards offsetting those costs while boosting the efficiency and sustainability of the airport at the same time.
Exemplar airport: Heathrow (UK)
Heathrow regularly hits the headlines for its proactive stance on tech adoption, not to mention some attention-grabbing implementation projects. Currently, Heathrow in partnership with Mace, is trialling a state-of-the-art robotic dog from world-leading supplier Boston Dynamics. “Dave the Dog” is proving integral in the airport’s efforts to refurbish an aging cargo tunnel from the 1960s. Using its laser scanners and suite of data analytics tools, Dave helps Heathrow’s engineers by providing accurate, comprehensive data monitoring the progress of the construction work. Dave also improves safety and efficiency by scanning in places where it’s dangerous or difficult for humans to go.
AI and Machine Learning will form the backbone of next-gen aviation infrastructure
While the potential of AI and ML has always remained sky-high, progress has traditionally been frustratingly slow. This is set to change, however, as breakthrough platforms like ChatGPT finally demonstrate how public-facing AI can offer truly exciting and valuable interactions. Already, the applications for aviation are being reviewed and advanced, ranging from advanced customer service interfaces to ultra-accurate cargo and passenger forecasting. As the latest products and solutions from advanced providers like Saudi Airport Exhibitor Nudhum Al Oula LLC show, having cutting-edge communications technology in the Air Traffic Controller and beyond is fast becoming a pre-requisite to compete among top-tier global hub airports.
Exemplar airport: Hamad International Airport (Qatar)
Hamad is one of the most forward-thinking airports in the region, and recently announced its implementation of “The Performance Cockpit” – an AI-driven digital solute on that is run completely on surveillance data gathered from air traffic operations and airfield movements, generating performance metrics that can better support daily operations and deliver outcomes such as reduced emissions, higher safety levels, smoother passenger flows and invaluable strategic insights to drive better decision making across all operational areas.
Urban Air Mobility will form a transformational step in connecting airports to national transport networks
Air taxis (autonomous and driven), increasing large drones for courier and taxi work, electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) units – airports are finally close to becoming hubs for Urban Air Mobility routes as well as domestic/international flights. Delivering on the promise of UAM is a crucial next step in connecting the dots between airports and the nascent smart transportation networks that form an integral part of smart city living.
Exemplar Airport: Fiumicino Airport (Italy)
Italy is at the forefront of UAM development, and the country has a long history of leading the world in novel aviation technologies and engineering approaches. With the backing of a wide range of partners, Italian company UrbanV aims to be among the first in the world to launch Advanced Air Mobility commercial networks starting from Fiumicino Airport in Rome’s city centre and eventually expand out to other key Italian urban centres. They aim to have the first commercially viable route up and running in 2024.
Delivering a next-gen aviation industry means harnessing the promise of emerging technologies
In each of the above cases, unlocking the higher potential of any airport – no matter its size, scale or location – requires the strategic integration of one or several key technologies that can alleviate age-old operational problems and open up wholly new opportunities for their owners. Robotics continues to drive operational efficiency and new use cases at an astounding rate, while AI/ML platforms open our eyes to possibilities previously unthought of. Similarly, UAM could quickly become the key to easing passenger bottlenecks arriving and leaving airports – a perennial headache needing an entirely novel solution.
As 2023 winds down, it’s already clear that the following year is one that holds remarkable promise for airports and the aviation industry, to the benefit of passengers everywhere.
