A Boeing Co. 777X airplane sits on the assembly floor at the company's facility in Everett, Washington, U.S., on Wednesday, March 6, 2020. The Boeing 777X airplane is scheduled to make its first flight on January 23. Picture: CHONA KASINGER / BLOOMBERG
Airports and airlines are now focusing on passenger-orientated rather than product-orientated decision-making processes. The adoption of the newest technologies is helping the companies meet customers’ demands and personalise their flying experience on board and at the airport. Sustainability has been at the forefront of all industries for some time now and it has proved to add value. Considering aviation’s total contribution to climate change, the biggest and most significant one comes from carbon dioxide emissions from aircraft. To reduce the carbon footprint when aircraft are taxiing, lighter airframe components and trials are taking place on the ground. Manufacturers are investing in methods to help reduce aircraft fuel consumption.
To improve efficiencies and maintain high levels of security, artificial intelligence-based systems will be adopted by airlines. Virtual assistants and chatbots will take customer services and flight bookings to another level. Automated processes will decrease the need for human resources, and queuing times will be reduced by using facial recognition software. To improve the ride to the airport, robotic assistants will be there to help passengers.
The main aim is to reduce security lines and speed up the passenger boarding process, reducing the need for staff. As facial, fingertip or even palm-vein recognition emerges, paper and mobile boarding passes will eventually become history. Incorporating this technology will be beneficial to all — passengers, airports and airlines.