The aviation sector, particularly the commercial aviation industry is perpetually pulling out all the stops in improving both the way it functions and customer satisfaction. To that end, it has started implementing Artificial Intelligence so as to modernize business and safety measures. Advances in machine vision, however, is finding many applications in the highly-structured environments for increasing security and efficiency of the airspace. Besides, I also anticipate that AI will automate the flights and flight operations in not-so-distant future- something yet to be accepted by the norms.

Furthermore, if we talk about fleet management, it is essentially all about logistics. And at a broader level, it embraces machine learning to produce unique insights and real-time data analysis for passengers, taxis, and aircraft including other transportation modalities. Well, with an intelligence like that, the aviation industry is undoubtedly offering a tailored experience to everyone who is a part of it.

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To cut the long story short, AI is entitled to have infinite potential that can redefine how the aviation sector goes about its work. In this article, I am breaking all the useful insights into pieces along with the current use cases so that it is easy for you to relate.

The Context

The global aviation industry has been expanding tremendously. Let’s take an example of the US commercial aviation: In the next 20 years, the passenger count is reckoned to double. In 2016, they generated a whopping revenue of $168.2 billion alone. This created an opportunity for exponential growth and demanded a proper handling. The aviation industry, therefore, needs to shift beyond its current way of working and look out for better opportunities to optimize resources, control costs, and be more responsible environmentally. Data is the only source to unlocking the potential and thus aviation sector must leverage AI for a secured future.

AI Use Cases in Aviation

As already discussed, artificial intelligence in aviation is in the nascent stage but few use cases are already being successfully carried out by some major US Carriers. So let’s begin with that.

Passenger Identification

The main idea is to have machines carry out the end-to-end check-in and passenger identification at the airport. Delta Airlines, for example, is already testing this process. Delta has been determined to be implementing AI for some time and is very much visible in its initiatives such as check-in via Fly Delta mobile app and ticketing kiosks.

The Delta Airlines also announced in May 2017 that it would be investing $600,000 for four different automated self-service baggage checking kiosks with facial recognition technology.

Baggage Screening

The airports are successfully investing in the latest AI-powered technologies that will support the baggage screening and tracking services. They are anticipating the fact that AI-enabled machines will be capable of performing tasks without any human assistance or intervention in any form. This will not only enhance the operational efficiency but will also offer a great passenger experience. Certain apps are also in the pipeline that will allow the flyers to determine their baggage size and prepay for any additional baggage-related expenses before even actually arriving at the airport.

Customer Assistance

The United Airlines is leveraging artificial intelligence and has tied up with Amazon’s Alexa to have some common customer queries answered. United announced a collaboration with Alexa in September 2017 and the feature is named as the United Skill. The passengers are expected to add it to their Alexa app and can start asking questions.

Alexa has been answering the common queries accurately such as check-in requests, wifi availability on a flight, and the status of a flight by the flight number.

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Data Confidentiality Management

A massive volume of data will be put to use as aviation industry embodies artificial intelligence which will significantly give a rise to data confidentiality management. A recent incident involved with Emirates, a leading airline, potentially uncovered risks associated with it when the passengers' data were leaked to the third parties without any authorization. Therefore, there exists a dire need for adopting AI in the area of data management in order to safeguard the passengers’ trust and support.

It is astonishing that an industry as crucial as aviation has woken up to artificial intelligence so late. As AI in aviation gains its momentum, there could probably be a few acquisitions, mergers, or even disappearance of smaller airlines which won’t be able to afford high investments involved with it. However, currently, AI seems to be the best preference to take the aviation industry to the next level. What are your thoughts about it? Let us know by writing down in the comment section below!