In the latest edition of a report analysing megatrends in the aviation industry, SITA, a company specialising in providing IT and telecommunication services to the aviation industry, estimated that 97% of the world’s airlines are planning to integrate AI in their operations.
“With the arrival of Generative AI in 2023, the technology has surged to the top of airport and airline agendas, with 97% of airlines planning a program to develop the technology. This has taken the limelight away from the Metaverse, which was the focus for 2022”, the report explains.
It’s an exciting time for travel with new technologies transforming our industry at rates previously unseen.
Patrik Svensson Gillstedt, Senior Vice President, Strategy and Growth Enablement, SITA
The report shows that 86% of airlines are collaborating with innovation partners to make advancements in AI, machine learning (ML) and computer vision. 39% of these have already been implemented, while another 47% confirmed plans by the end of 2026. Only 3% of airlines stated having no plans to invest in AI technologies. In comparison, 97% confirmed major programs and R&D (Research and development). Looking at airports, 16% of airports already use AI and ML for improved decision-making, with another 51% confirming plans to implement such solutions by the end of 2026.
Others trends identified in 2022 also continued to develop throughout 2023, including Digital Travel, with the emergence of digital identities. According to SITA’s 2023 Air Transport IT Insights, by the end of 2026, 82% of airlines will use biometric-enabled digital identity technologies for aircraft boarding, a further 67% confirmed using touchless and 50% single token.
Similarly, Urban Air Mobility (UAM) has seen surging interest from airlines and airports, with the first flights due to take off in 2024 at the Paris Olympics. As a result, investment in the space across all stakeholders (including OEM, infrastructure, and systems) is projected to accelerate from $5 billion in 2022 to $28 billion in 2030. “By 2030, electric air taxis will be ubiquitous at major international airports and operate as an effective auxiliary service and revenue stream for airports and airlines”, the report says.
Airlines show increased interest in UAM, according to SITA, with 32% confirming major programs and R&D in UAM services and infrastructure. 33% of airlines invest in VTOL (vertical take-off and landing vehicle) integration technologies for airline operations. UAM services and infrastructure are also taking off for airports, with 32% confirming major programs and R&D on this front. Furthermore, 57% of airports confirmed major programs and R&D plans for integrating intermodal transport systems for data sharing, with 26% investing in technologies for VTOL integration.
