After a hiatus of more than two years, many of the regular industry events returned this year. Due to the critical situation in the beginning of the year, May and June were packed with shows, conferences and trade fairs. We attended a few of them, Airport Show Dubai, IATA Ground Handling Conference as well as the Passenger Terminal Expo. This article summarises the key takeaways from the last eight weeks.
Personal, face-to-face meetings are irreplaceable
Maybe one of the most important takeaways is that an exchange in person, standing opposite of eachother cannot be replaced by any video conference. This is also very good news for the aviation industry as it means that a lot of business travel has already, or will soon, return to the skies. Many of the people we spoke with were waiting for this moment for a long time and you were able to tell as all events, but especially the PTE, was buzzing like they haven’t in the years before COVID.
Traffic Recovery Predictions failed miserably
One thing that we at Assaia unfortunately predicted correctly in 2021 is that traffic will not only recover much quicker than many of the industry analysts predicted; there is also no need for a 100% recovery of flights before the weakened airport/airline eco-system collapses. The number one topic at every show has been the very strong recovery and how this unexpected situation caught almost every stakeholder off-guard. Lack of staff, lack of equipment, lack of information, all of this is happening at the same time in a climate where people want to get back into the air to visit friends, family, customers or simply go on vacation. Some players even consider radical solutions by asking governments to relax immigration regulations to support employing staff from foreign countries.
Firefighting
Unfortunately, like so often before, the aviation industry has not learnt from previous crises and is now back in what everyone in our industry is best at: Firefighting. Instead of making bold and precautionary investments to counteract the loss of resources and knowledge, cost-saving and short-term thinking were prevalent again. We heard from so many in the operational management level that they would have wished for budgets in order to mitigate the current crisis early on. But no one was listening.
There is no future without Technology
One thing that became apparent over the past eight weeks has been a change in the mindset of many with whom we spoke. Innovation and a drive to invest into technology already existed before COVID, but it was still nestled into the industry’s safety-driven and conservative mindset. Now that everyone realises that the lack of qualified staff and costly resources is not just a temporary problem, the urge for digitization and technology-driven growth is mindblowing. Literally everyone we spoke to agreed that there is no more room to wiggle about the question of how quickly airports and airlines must heavily invest in technology to safeguard their future existence. The answer is: Immediately and with full force. And we also already see it in the sheer amount of enquiries that come our way since January 2022. There is no more time to be lost and for most IT vendors projects are done on a first-come-first-serve basis.
It’s a people's business
Last but not least we like to quote the CEO of a major ground handler that said during a panel discussion that aviation is a people’s business. And although we believe that this is only partially true, in the end every business, every human interaction is a “people’s business”. Therefore flying will never become irrelevant and as long as there is no new and more dangerous COVID variant coming our way this autumn, it seems that the aviation industry is back on track when it comes to traffic and passenger numbers. Unfortunately, this very strong recovery of demand hits an industry that is very close to a cardiac arrest. From our engagements over the past eight weeks it seems, however, as if the aviation industry finally realises that only by investing in technology in a way never considered possible before, will it be able to cope with future growth. Maybe in the future, when we look back in ten years, we realise that COVID had something good after all - it changed the aviation industry for the better.
Some heading goes here
It is our firm belief that the future of aviation should be free of delays.
With this in mind, for the past year, Assaia has hosted a bi-monthly Roundtable for airline representatives to discuss ramp safety, including the challenges experienced post-Covid, such as staff turnover, a lack of experienced staff, and time pressures for the ramp crew. With the recent FAA mandate on Safety Management Systems (SMS), Assaia has just opened up the Roundtable to airports to facilitate increased collaboration.
Roundtable discussions have affirmed the importance of using data-driven solutions to move away from manual monitoring and toward real-time automated intervention to prevent incidents and improve behavior. At the recent American Airlines safety management system conference, Assaia discussed computer vision's potential as a tool to strengthen SMS strategies. Airline safety experts agreed that real-time automated alerts are the way forward to improve safety and facilitate safety-aware behavior. Analyzing and understanding historical data can help advance regulations and standard operating procedures
SMS strategies. Airline safety experts agreed that real-time automated alerts are the way forward to improve safety and facilitate safety-aware behavior. Analyzing and understanding historical data can help advance regulations and standard operating procedures
Image caption goes here
Some heading goes here
It is our firm belief that the future of aviation should be free of delays.
With this in mind, for the past year, Assaia has hosted a bi-monthly Roundtable for airline representatives to discuss ramp safety, including the challenges experienced post-Covid, such as staff turnover, a lack of experienced staff, and time pressures for the ramp crew. With the recent FAA mandate on Safety Management Systems (SMS), Assaia has just opened up the Roundtable to airports to facilitate increased collaboration.
Roundtable discussions have affirmed the importance of using data-driven solutions to move away from manual monitoring and toward real-time automated intervention to prevent incidents and improve behavior. At the recent American Airlines safety management system conference, Assaia discussed computer vision's potential as a tool to strengthen SMS strategies. Airline safety experts agreed that real-time automated alerts are the way forward to improve safety and facilitate safety-aware behavior. Analyzing and understanding historical data can help advance regulations and standard operating procedures.
With this in mind, for the past year, Assaia has hosted a bi-monthly Roundtable for airline representatives to discuss ramp safety, including the challenges experienced post-Covid, such as staff turnover, a lack of experienced staff, and time pressures for the ramp crew. With the recent FAA mandate on Safety Management Systems (SMS), Assaia has just opened up the Roundtable to airports to facilitate increased collaboration.
Roundtable discussions have affirmed the importance of using data-driven solutions to move away from manual monitoring and toward real-time automated intervention to prevent incidents and improve behavior.
At the recent American Airlines safety management system conference, Assaia discussed computer vision's potential as a tool to strengthen SMS strategies.
Roundtable discussions have affirmed the importance of using data-driven solutions to move away
Roundtable discussions have affirmed the importance of using data-driven solutions to move away
At the recent American Airlines safety management system conference, Assaia discussed computer vision's potential as a tool to strengthen SMS strategies. Airline safety experts agreed that real-time automated alerts are the way forward to improve safety and facilitate safety-aware behavior. Analyzing and understanding historical data can help advance regulations and standard operating procedures.
Side image goes here
With this in mind, for the past year, Assaia has hosted a bi-monthly Roundtable for airline representatives to discuss ramp safety, including the challenges experienced post-Covid, such as staff turnover, a lack of experienced staff, and time pressures for the ramp crew. With the recent FAA mandate on Safety Management Systems (SMS), Assaia has just opened up the Roundtable to airports to facilitate increased collaboration.
Roundtable discussions have affirmed the importance of using data-driven solutions to move away from manual monitoring and toward real-time automated intervention to prevent incidents and improve behavior.
Side image goes here
At the recent American Airlines safety management system conference, Assaia discussed computer vision's potential as a tool to strengthen SMS strategies. Airline safety experts agreed that real-time automated alerts are the way forward to improve safety and facilitate safety-aware behavior. Analyzing and understanding historical data can help advance regulations and standard operating procedures.
Testimonials
The use of Assaia's TurnaroundControl has provided our Airline Partners, Ground Handlers, and Service Providers with full visibility of the aircraft turn processes. The data, predictability, and visibility enhances our collective efficiency and resilience at Toronto Pearson. Paired with our A-CDM initiative, Assaia's TurnaroundControl provides crucial data driving A-CDM processes, a reduction in turn times, and a noticeable increase in on-time performance.
Dean Wright
Associate Director, Gating & Airport Flow
The way Turnaround 2.0 uses AI and machine learning to boost our zone controllers' efficiency is remarkable. They can now manage multiple gate activities with more focus on handling exceptions, rather than multitasking.
Turnaround 2.0 is more than a tool for the present; it's a foundation for 'United Next,' growing with us and helping us surpass our operational goals efficiently.
Daniel Reed
Director of Station Operations, United Airlines
Our focus is to use innovation to make our operations smoother. We have selected Assaia because of the capabilities of the tool. But it is also really important for us that it has a good record of successful implementation, so we know it will deliver for us, for our airlines and ultimately for our passengers.
Dr Babett Stapel
Managing Director, Fraport Slovenjia
We are optimizing all our processes on the apron to shorten the time each aircraft needs to be on the ground, which benefits both our passengers and our airline partners. This is a common issue across our airports and we are talking to all of them about this technology.
Claus Grunow
VP of Corporate Strategy and Digitalization at Fraport
We are pleased to partner with Assaia to implement the ApronAI Turnaround Control solution at T4. This new solution will not only optimize operations and our work with our business partners, but will also help us to ensure a first-class customer experience at T4.
Roel Huinink
President and CEO, JFKIAT
For most airports, the apron is a a black box. Assaia finally gives our ground staff full insight into every turnaround. This allows them to focus on what really matters, while simultaneously making the work environment safer.
Jason Aspelund
Former Manager Strategic Performance, Alaska Airlines
The real-time and historical insights that can inform both airport and airline operations make this solution a clear winner for everyone.
Craig Paul
Director of Technology & Innovation , Halifax Stanfield International
Assaia's product allows airports and airlines to collect, track, and analyze data in real time; this innovation removes inefficiencies and optimizes performance.
Jim Lockheed
JetBlue Ventures
We’re creating the airport of the future, and innovation in apron operations will directly improve the passenger experience. We are laser focused on innovations that will make Pearson and its whole apron ecosystem more efficient while reducing our carbon footprint.
Deborah Flint
President and CEO GTAA
SEA needed an innovative solution to our capacity problem and have worked with Assaia to optimize the turnaround process resulting in reduced taxi times and increased passenger satisfaction. Assaia has exceeded our expectations, consistently delivering on-time & on-budget.
Samer Tirhi
Airline Scheduling Coordinator, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
With the help of Predicted Off Block Time from Assaia. JFKIAT Operations can be proactive to reduce or eliminate any delays and gate holds
Stephen Tukavkin
VP IT & Digital, JFKIAT
I had mentioned before, great innovation on your part. With these types of improvements, T4 is always leading at JFK. Thank you
COPA Station Manager
JFKIAT
We are proud to be partnering with the Assaia team in our mission to use technology to improve the efficiency and safety of the airport environment.
Raghbir S. Pattar
Director of Airports Transformation, IAG
We’re working hard on becoming an airport of the future, and this involves rethinking every part of our ground operations. Assaia’s ApronAI is an integral component of our vision for the ramp of the future.
Abhi Chacko
Head of Innovation & Commercial IT Services, Gatwick Airport
Assaia’s technology adds critical data points to CVG’s early-stage neural network for operational advancements. Structured data generated by artificial intelligence will provide information to make decisions, optimize airside processes, and improve efficiency and safety.
Brian Cobb
CIO, CVG Airport
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