One commercial passenger flew on one commercial flight back in January 1914. Fast-forward just over 100 years later, and travel not only occurs on a larger scale, but also the technology surrounding the airline industry is fast-paced and quickly changing.
The next five years in the aviation industry could prove to be particularly exciting. Here's what to expect.
1. Streamlined Flight Disruption
Flight disruptions, largely due to weather, are a major financial drain to airlines and the main source of frustration for consumers. There should be a better way. A recent industry survey revealed that roughly 80 percent of airlines are looking into prediction and warning systems to help curb the cost of delayed and cancelled flights.
Integrated systems could put into place ways to predict both the disruption and the aftermath to better help airlines deal with these situations.
2. Chatbots
Only 14 percent of airlines and 9 percent of airports make good use of chatbots. That’s a number poised to change in the years ahead, as another industry report revealed that 68 percent of airlines and 42 percent of airports are interested in pursuing AI-driven chatbot services.
Chatbots could provide airport guidance services, location-aware services and handy notifications to enable passengers to get in and out of airlines and manoeuvre from one flight to the next with ease.
3. Mobile App
More than just an app, airlines are looking for the “one app to rule them all.” How many airlines? An industry study showed 94 percent of airlines and 82 percent of airports want a mobile app with a focus on condensing information into one helpful place.
These apps would make it a snap to purchase an airline ticket and provide easy access to other useful information without forcing consumers to switch between apps.
4. Biometric Identification and RFID
Face identification can unlock smartphones. Fingerprints can purchase items from smartphones. Why shouldn’t biometric identification speed along different processes in the airport system?
RFID usage could make baggage claim hassles a thing of the past. If more hotels turned to RFID tech, they could then claim and transport customer’s luggage directly.
5. A Focus on Customer Entertainment
Down on the ground, passengers’ smartphones and other favourite tech gadgets aren’t out of hand for long. Smart airlines will incorporate elements to entertain travellers along every part of the journey.
On-demand, mobile-ready content, currently undergoing testing in some locations, will become widespread in an effort to keep passengers entertained before and between flights.
Flexible Solutions
The customer-oriented tools from Hitit Computer Services aid airlines in achieving IT goals. The Crane suite of products can take your operational life-cycle to the next level. Technology is changing. Keep up with it using Hitit.