The smart airport or the valorization of big data in aerospace industry

For the past ten years, Big data and Artificial Intelligence utilization has soared in the civil aviation sector. According to a 2018 SITA report, airlines spent $30 billion on pure IT this year and $10 billion on airports. In addition, according to the stakeholders, Big data is the disruptive technology ensuring the greatest possibilities.

Data location

Aircraft is the first massive source of data. The data sent depend on its position (in flight or on the ground), its mobility (static or mobile) and the recipient and can come from sensors or radars.

Next, passengers are the second main source of data :

• via their customer files when purchasing the ticket
• within the airport using services made available to them
• inside the aircraft

Increased valorization

In terms of digital transformation, airlines, aircraft manufacturers and airports are massively using Big data to build the airport of tomorrow : the smart airport. The management of the airport infrastructures and some of airport operations are concerned. Here are some examples of what is on offer today :

• Airport Operation Control Center (AOCC)

These solutions make it possible to manage flows (avoid lines), activities (better support passengers), optimize logistic (especially for luggages), airport and critical security. The solutions proposed integrate and are based on Big data in order to take into account encountered issues in a global manner.

These are modular and scalable tools to process data in real time. At the same time it allows centralized processing thanks to intelligent and automated management.

• Predictive maintenance

In the past, equipment breakdowns and accidents were dealt with ex-post analysis because the time required to analyze the data was necessary. Today, HUMS (Health and Usage Monitoring System) sensors analyze in real time. They collect, classify and analyze data and deliver a fault diagnosis almost instantly, sometimes even before the fault occurs.

These tools help to reduce costs and avoid breakdowns and accidents. Also this allows companies to save precious time (aircrafts immobilization). Finally, this avoids damaging planes in depth.

• The IFE (In Flight Entertainment) market

This market is made up of in-flight connectivity and on-board multimedia systems.

For example, in terms of connectivity, the TopFlight Satcom programs developed by Thales allows companies to respond to passenger requests in real time. They also help to ensure the proper transmission of information to the crew and ground staff. Finally, this ensures real-time analysis of meteorological data ensuring greater responsiveness to decisions and profitability.

For what purpose?

Big data and AI have come to transform the customer experience in this highly competitive market, which is a differentiating factor. The comfort of customer is ensured from the purchase of ticket and continues until arrival at destination with no breaks between his habits. This also allows for better customer support and to increase revenues.

Finally, according to forecasts, more than 8 billion peoples will travel by air in 2035. Air traffic management is therefore a critical issue. Responding to constant demand can be done with big data, take-off and landing optimization software.

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Posted from my blog with SteemPress : http://blog.economie-numerique.net/2020/04/28/the-smart-airport-or-the-valorization-of-big-data-in-aerospace-industry/

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