Why aviation needs a modern data exchange platform for AI
In a world where people seek competitive advantage from AI, we believe access to data holds the key to success, because the aviation landscape is chronically fragmented.
My colleague Abhishek Krishna wrote recently about how AI is poised to transform aviation operations. He is certainly not wrong, however, I am here to explain why AI’s true value in aviation can only be unlocked through data exchange.
How can the aviation industry unlock the full value of AI through data exchange and a shared data platform? Here’s what you need to know:
Why do the aviation industry need a modern data platform?
There is no shortage of data in the world. And, in aviation, there is no shortage of data platforms either, Airlines, airports and governments all have them, but rarely are they designed to support today’s agentic AI revolution, and nowhere else will you find a common data platform ready for use by all stakeholders at the airport.
At Amadeus we are not investing in siloed infrastructure, but a common data platform that allows aviation stakeholders to exchange insights and information. Why? Because our industry suffers from deep-rooted fragmentation and to deliver value, AI demands connected, high-quality data.
In aviation, several barriers exist today:
- Disconnected systems at the airport that do not easily talk to one another keep data locked in silos.
- Legacy communications protocols like Type 2 messaging from the 1960s make data exchange slow and costly.
- Airports, airlines and governments have not had the tools or the mindset to exchange data with each other.
- Governance and risk have been difficult to manage.
So, how can we overcome these challenges?
What are the key capabilities of a modern aviation data exchange platform?
To overcome these challenges our industry needs a platform approach to managing data.
- Integration framework – universal connectors that easily plug-in to any system, allowing data to be sourced from anywhere, even the oldest application running at the airport.
- Data catalogue – the ability for stakeholders to publish data assets that might be valuable to the broader ecosystem with specific terms of use.
- Data exchange – tools to exchange data across the ecosystem with ready-made contracting and governance tools that safeguard privacy and reduce risk.
- Intelligence layer – including semantic dictionaries associated to datasets that provide meaning for AI processing.
- Data collaboration – a mutual space where stakeholders can collaborate with shared datasets, including clean rooms for processing sensitive data without direct sharing.
- Trust and Governance – the built-in capability to handle contract and consent management, enabling appropriate control by data officers.
How do aviation data platforms improve operational efficiency?
Data is the lifeblood of any operational environment. If we look beyond aviation, when goods are shipped across the world, there’s no confusion about what’s being delivered because the logistics supply chain exchanges standardized data as part of the Electronic Data Interchange system. Purchase order, shipping and inventory data is seamlessly exchanged across the entire process from manufacture, to haulage, to shipping and warehouse storage. The efficiency is notable.
The flow of information is not always so efficient in our industry. An airline may not know when a passenger passes security. An airport may not know how many connecting passengers are arriving on a given flight.
Across the aviation ecosystem there are hundreds of use cases that can be enabled by data exchange.
Norway’s airport operator Avinor is working with its key stakeholders to unlock operational efficiency and improve the passenger experience. For instance, Avinor now receives real-time data flows from its airline partners that allow ground handlers to understand when passengers requiring special assistance are onboard an arriving flight. This means they can have wheelchairs ready and waiting when the aircraft lands, improving the passenger experience while avoiding lengthy delays that jeopardize turnaround and on-time performance for the airline.
Why does AI in aviation depend on data exchange?
As AI becomes embedded across the airport, it's more important than ever that the aviation industry provides the foundation this exciting new technology needs to deliver value. Consider a complex disruption scenario.
To solve disruption, an AI system requires airline data, like aircraft and crew availability, passenger connections, and the airline’s disruption management logic.
It also needs airport data, like stand and gate availability, landing slot information, and the airport’s priorities – for example prioritizing long-haul or high passenger volume flights. Thinking more broadly, hotel capacity adds additional value by helping the AI understand the feasibility and cost of accommodating disrupted passengers.
It’s only by bringing these worlds together through a secure, well-governed data exchange that AI can access the complete context it needs to solve these complex challenges end-to-end.
That’s why we’re building the aviation industry’s most comprehensive data exchange infrastructure - to solve fragmentation and unlock the true power of AI.
Frequently asked questions
A data exchange platform in aviation lets airlines, airports and governments securely share operational data, with clear rules for access, consent and use.
Data governance is key and makes aviation data exchange trusted by managing privacy, risk, consent, contracts and control over how data is shared.
A data platform manages data inside one organization. A data exchange platform helps multiple aviation stakeholders share data across the ecosystem.
Aviation organizations can prepare their data for AI by connecting operational data, business logic and workflows across the ecosystem, so AI can act on accurate, enriched and dynamic context at scale.
Yes. An ecosystem approach to aviation data exchange connects airlines, airports, governments and partners such as hotels or ground transportation, so data can support more coordinated, end-to-end disruption management. "This trusted environment is required to break existing silos and move toward ecosystem and partnership
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