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Aeronautical technology investments in 2023

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Digitalization is imminent and wrapped in the artificial intelligence boom, the road to 100% automation is getting closer and closer.

And it is that, during 2021 and 2022, the growth and the boom in the mobilization of all economic sectors, produced the acceleration of a factor that seemed to be seen in the distance, but that undoubtedly, has come to stay.

In this way, we see that artificial intelligence covers each of the main economic environments, where the aeronautical and maritime sectors are not left out.

After two years of imminent growth, the aeronautical industry did not foresee the challenges it could face, and it is now where it is on the move to invest in new resources during recovery.

Automated processes…

“Digitalization is seen as the key to meeting these challenges, as it offers greater scalability and flexibility,” said David Lavorel, CEO of SITA.

In this sense, the same report collected by SITA, states that airlines and airports worldwide will put in place the investment of IT resources, seeking to improve each of the processes in airport development.

As a result, airlines and airports are looking to reduce waiting times and improve the travel experience for passengers at every stage of their journey. This technology investment will also serve to create a key staffing mechanism, so that staff can be placed in higher attention assignments.

Today, we can see the speed with which airline and airport transit resources are increasingly relying on technological means to support their development.

Strengthening the technological foundations will therefore be the main focus for this year, which is undoubtedly the key to completing the digital transformation.

Good news for 2023

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During a new moment, where many are studying the strengths and threats of 2023, air terminals are trying to weigh the new challenges, hoping for a new era and great opportunities for the aviation sector. 

As we have discussed in previous articles, there are many projects in the air, new technologies for transportation and air traffic control. There are also new experiences for passengers, such as in-flight connectivity, the opening of new routes, and the improvement of airport infrastructure worldwide. 

At this point, we can see how airports are already preparing for funding and new work to expand and improve the structures of airport spaces at a time when challenges are at the door. 

New projects are on the way…

In the last few days we have talked about El Dorado Airport as the most punctual airport in Latin America, and today we can see that a new project has been approved for the construction of a new terminal at the airport of Cartagena, a tourist destination in the Latin country that receives countless world-class tourists year after year. 

This project will allow the expansion and modernization of the structure of the Rafael Núñez International Airport in Cartagena. Thanks to these works, the airport will be able to increase its air capacity and be prepared to receive approximately 7.5 million passengers per year. 

The authorities in charge of the project have also stated that these modernization and construction works will be completed in two and a half years. 

In this sense, tourism in Colombia is getting stronger and getting recognized on an international level.

We talk about sustainability…

From airplanes with recycled materials and paper savings to the digital world, the aviation sector is looking for new horizons in terms of sustainability and environmental friendliness.

For several years now, there has been talking about introducing an environmentally friendly fuel to minimize the damage caused by CO2 in the air. Today, new mechanisms are already being presented to achieve zero emissions by 2035. 

Not only is there talk of green fuel, but also hydrogen and ethanol to produce a friendly and safe fuel for aviation. We see that there are still some years to go, but behind all this, big companies are working to achieve the expected results.

 

This and other news about the maritime and aeronautical sectors are in our blog. 

 

Airport recovery in Latin America

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We are starting a new year, after stumbles, pandemics, and a new adaptation, airports presented their balance sheets for 2022. For the most part, the recovery was evident, which translates into new challenges and improvements. 

In the case of Latin America, El Dorado Airport, which serves Bogota, was the most punctual airport in Latin America in 2022. 

This result was announced by Cirium, a specialist in the analysis of the aeronautical sector, which presented the annual balance of the punctuality performance of airports worldwide. 

In the case of El Dorado International Airport, it was the most punctual with 80.72%, which places it in the top 10 and as the most punctual in Latin America. 

Recovery at Tocumen Airport 

In the case of Central America, specifically at Tocumen International Airport, the annual report of airport activities was presented. 

In this report, the recovery of the airport in the year 2022 stands out, which recovered the airport traffic concerning 2021, new flight routes were opened, and also, the recovery of the structure and operation of the new Terminal 2. 

In general, it can be said that although the year just ended was a year of challenges, the return of airlines and the lifting of restrictions was positive for the recovery of the sector. 

In terms of numbers, Tocumen Airport closed 2022 with more than 15 million passengers, a little more than 6 million more than in 2021. 

This is only a small part of what happened in Latin America, but the recovery of air traffic worldwide was very satisfying for the recovery of the aviation sector after years of uncertainty and new challenges. 

But 2023 is just beginning, what will it hold for the aviation sector? 

 

Read more news about the aviation and maritime sectors in our blog. 

Laser communication has come to revolutionize airborne communications

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Airbus and VDL Group have signed a collaboration agreement for the development and manufacture of a laser communication terminal for the aeronautical industry that will enable the exchange of large amounts of data via a network of ground stations and satellites in geostationary orbit located 36,000 km above the earth.

The new product will be based on a mechatronic optical system with high stability and precision, which could reach several gigabits per second while keeping data secure against interference and with a very low probability of interception.

This new communication system called UltraAir will enable the connection of military aircraft and AUVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) within a multi-domain combat cloud thanks to laser-based satellite constellations such as Airbus’ SpaceDataHighway. 

This patented optical technology from VDL, which Airbus plans to install on one of its aircraft on a trial basis, creates the foundation for the future of data transmission speeds and will be a key differentiator for multi-domain combat collaboration with government and defense customers.

Laser data communication aims to revolutionize the communications industry and is seen as a solution for data traffic in the quantum era as this communication path will be able to support 1,000 times more data than current networks with 10 times the speed.

Additionally, laser communication technologies will be more difficult to interfere with, can be lighter, and consume less energy so this project will surely become the first of many in the aeronautical sector promising an escalation in the issue of data transmission and security.

Robotics in the airport sector

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We have already talked about how technology has become involved in everyday life. However, today we can see how robots are becoming more and more integrated into the routine, and this is how we can already see them in airports worldwide. 

To provide security, trust, and support, there are already some airports that have implemented the use of robots within the installations.

Airports in London, Japan, and the United States are just some of the terminals that already have robotic units to perform different tasks that help to streamline the development of the same. 

It is estimated that by 2028 the market for robots in airports will reach US$2,108 million, according to Research & Markets. This means that the growth of such technology will grow exponentially year after year. 

New smart strategies…

After turbulent years due to Covid-19, the airline industry was forced to look for alternatives to weather the ravages of flight groundings, massive layoffs, and financial decline. But, amid the formula for a new take-off, they found the benefits of digital transformation. 

These brought unbeatable benefits to lift the sector back on its feet. Among them were electronic vaccination ballots, the use of software for airport administrative management, facial recognition and artificial intelligence for passenger control, and more. 

That is why now, robots are joining this formula to enhance the needs of air terminals. 

Robots, a good decision? 

Some of the functions that robots fulfill in airports can be found: 

  • Strengthen security in terminals, with the ability to prevent dangerous events. 
  • Thanks to artificial intelligence they can detect prohibited or dangerous artifacts such as explosives. 
  • Manage passenger transit, boarding pass scanning, and more. 
  • Keep cleaning tasks unimpeded. 

These are just some of the tasks that are currently being taken advantage of, but, this will not stop here as the world of robotics will begin to grow exponentially and will be increasingly implemented around the world. 

Read more about the aeronautics sector in our blog.

Technological advances in air terminals

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2022 is almost over, a year that was undoubtedly a great source of technological advances and a year of palpable recovery for the aeronautical sector. 

But, it was an eye-opener of the benefits that new technologies have brought to one of the main economic sectors worldwide. 

From artificial intelligence to biometric technology, these are just some of the new technology uses implemented in airports around the world, having as a first need, to improve the passenger’s experience. To make their stay in air terminals as comfortable and pleasant as possible. 

That’s why with a view to full automation, we leave you a small tour of the technological innovations that serve firsthand to improve and configure new moments in airports around the world. 

Seoul Airport…

Incheon Airport in Seoul launched the big data platform Airport Data Sandbox, which facilitates the collection of data to analyze information such as congestion in the terminal, weather, traffic, or transport forecasts. 

It also provides information on passenger flow and allows for easy allocation of personnel management to improve airport operations. Each of the aforementioned data is handled in real-time. 

Barcelona Airport… 

And speaking of biometric technology, the Vueling Barcelona-Malaga route has a biometric program that covers the passenger’s entire transit from home to the boarding terminal. 

This is AENA’s third biometric project at Barcelona airport, where through the Spanish airport holding company’s app, passengers can register for baggage check-in, optimizing waiting times and security controls. 

All of the above while complying with the security of each passenger’s data. 

Qatar Airport… 

Hamad International Airport in Qatar is one of the airports considered a worldwide efficient airport, in terms of decision-making and technological improvements for the administration of the air terminal. 

It uses the necessary technological tools not only for administration but also to ensure an optimal stay for users. That is why they are about to implement digital twin programs, to plan and visualize different scenarios based on the collection and study of data. 

These are just some of the new scenarios that are being presented in air terminals around the world, but we are undoubtedly eager to see what 2023 will bring.

 

Keep reading more aviation news in our blog.

Cybersecurity in the aeronautics industry

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With heavy investment in development and automation, the aeronautics industry is preparing for its biggest moment. But, reaching optimal levels of digitization involves a great deal of preparation to protect and support data security. A factor that has been transcendental over the years and that today is not ignored. 

The aviation sector is going through one of its best moments, having reached pre-pandemic levels. However, with exponential growth, data vulnerability is becoming more palpable in an ecosystem where cyber-attacks are in constant view. 

This represents a challenge for aviation worldwide, the protection of passenger data and the support of the aviation structure are essential to avoid risks and threats that could put airports in trouble. 

Building a strong cyber foundation…

With the arrival of digital transformation, laying the foundations of a cybernetic structure is essential, thanks to the large amount of data handled daily at an airport. Not only financial data but also data on each of the passengers that pass through an airport every year. 

In this sense, to move the aviation industry forward with the arrival of digitalization, the cyberculture must be adapted to build sustainable systems that are prepared to cope with the impact of the transformations that are experienced from time to time in technology. 

It is not only a matter of strengthening robust foundations at a systematic level but also of creating a culture where workers are trained to avoid and minimize human error in the event of a system crash. 

Cybersecurity as a sustainable investment… 

To talk about security is not only to talk about a protection system but also to ensure the future of a sector that has been able to overcome each of the challenges it has faced throughout history. 

This is why, at a structural level, it is a safe investment, given the increase in cyber threats. In addition, it will guarantee a robust and credible system over the years. Capable of adapting to changes and guaranteeing security. 

This is a big step for the aviation sector that is growing almost daily, despite the challenges it has faced, it is still a leader in security and reliability in the transportation sector. 

If you want to know more about aviation and shipping news, keep browsing our blog.

 

The digital transformation reaches new frontiers

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Digital transformation is increasingly reaching new frontiers. Some sectors have taken it from the beginning, while others have only waited a little longer to study the behavior of a world that, as difficult as it may seem, has come to solve many problems. 

The Internet is not new, and neither is machine learning or big data, but recognizing its effectiveness and behavior has taken us a few years. However, many industries use technological developments to leverage the new, transform themselves and break paradigms that years ago they would not have taken into account. 

The aviation sector has been one of those that have been able to take advantage of the new technologies coming to the market to optimize, reduce costs and improve data security.

This has not only served to clarify and improve the industry after the pandemic but also to face new challenges that in the medium term will be favorable. Not only at the industrial level, but also at the administrative level.

Technology is already part of everyday life… 

Most companies today are technological and it is not only about applying technology within the company but also about transforming the business model to sustain, optimize and ensure the effectiveness of the changes that are made within the industry. 

Always hand in hand with clear and specific objectives to implement an action plan aligned to the industry. 

Likewise, it has been demonstrated that automated processes reduce human error and are more optimal when it comes to minimizing manual work times. For this reason, the leap to technology is imminent and now covers a large part of sectors that had remained solely in manual work.

A new agenda for the maritime sector

The maritime sector is not left aside in terms of optimizing its operations, because the environment that develops within the maritime world is already talking about a new moment to optimize the industry, not only at the level of infrastructure but also at the level of operability. 

Worldwide, maritime transportation has been of vital importance to connect new routes, of great affluence that have awakened in the globalization that is currently being experienced. So, although it seemed to have been left aside, it faces a new challenge to continue growing and evolving more and more. 

If you want to know more, keep navigating in our blog.

Reduced traffic at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol

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In previous articles, we talked about the challenges facing airports worldwide that affect them both positively and negatively. However, this has led to immense solutions that have served as a bridge to improve flight quality, airport traffic, and the development of new opportunities. 

Many airports have gone through a crisis of staff shortages at airports ,and so far, airports like London Airport have managed to mitigate the processes. Others like Amsterdam Airport have taken medium-term measures to ease the long queues and a large number of passengers transiting through the airport. 

That’s right, Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam announced a reduction in the number of passengers that will be able to transit through the airport. This is due to the lack of security personnel at the airport in the Netherlands in previous months. 

This measure will be in place until the end of March 2023. Thanks to this, the maximum number of passengers will also depend on previous agreements with the airlines, which will require more elaborate planning to minimize the consequences. 

In this sense, the aim is to minimize waiting times, and long queues and also to ensure the safety of the thousands of passengers who transit daily. Also to avoid collapse and various cancellations due to lack of personnel. 

Automatic passenger transit

Likewise, many technology companies are currently working on the creation of technologies that work under artificial intelligence to improve airport transit mechanisms, administrative processes, security, loading, unloading, and much more. 

Such is the case of GP Nauticals, who have developed a software system, especially for the aeronautical and maritime sectors. With a SUITE of products that are integrated to cover different types of needs, with the ability to analyze data in real-time that allow improvements in the development of the airport. 

Also, thanks to PAX AIMS, the airport will be able to audit passenger traffic, thanks to different checkpoints that allow scanning of boarding passes where the passenger and boarding list can be validated with the concessionaires to proceed to check-in. 

 This is just a small sample of the services that GP Nauticals has to offer. If you want to know more about each of our products do not hesitate to visit our products section. 

 

New challenges after COVID

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Now that everything seems to be back to normal, the whole world is preparing to overcome the impact of Covid-19. 

In many countries, routine activities are already taking place as normal, without the need to wear masks. Others are enjoying festivals and concerts, but better yet, travel restrictions have been put aside to embrace the summer. 

Airports around the world are preparing to reach pre-pandemic traffic levels. However, they have faced unexpected challenges such as staff shortages and high passenger demand that have led to delays, cancellations and long queues. 

But this was not an impediment for people to enjoy their vacations after two years of confinement. 

Goodbye to controls… 

Thanks to the leveling of contagions and the good sanitary management in airport structures, countries such as Spain have announced the lifting of COVID controls, it will no longer be necessary to present the COVID passport or the traveler’s form, both at airports and those arriving in the country by cruise ships. 

However, requirements such as PCR tests performed 48 hours in advance and vaccination cards are still required. This is to ensure the safety and welfare of each passenger. Likewise, masks will still be used during flights.

In spite of this, the lifting of the controls is a great step to restructure international schedules and reopen the operation of routes that were still stopped. 

In addition, passengers are guaranteed safety and confidence during flights and stays at the air terminals.

This is why good times are ahead for the aeronautical and port sector. Where challenges will cease to have a negative connotation, to carry out new projects and improve the travel experience of each passenger. 

A reliable alternative… 

In order to accompany the challenges that may arise, GP Nauticals has developed within the SUITE, a specialized software called PAX AIMS, which is ideal to avoid long waiting lines.  In addition, it is capable of auditing the number of passengers passing through the airport facilities, in order to automate processes and optimize check-in and collection times. 

All this thanks to the checkpoints that will be deployed at the airports, which will improve the travel experience from the moment they set foot in the facilities. 

PAX AIMS can be integrated with other SUITE software according to the needs of each customer. If you want to know more information about our products, click here.