Technology is always disrupting the aviation industry, changing everything from maintenance to compliance to aircraft design.
From advancements in robotics to the application of blockchain for record-keeping purposes, this article reviews which new and emerging technologies are likely to become more common in future.
Blockchain for Record-Keeping
Blockchain technology enables the transparent recording of information, from financial transactions to maintenance inspections. Here’s how it may be used for aviation purposes in the coming years.
Maintenance Records
Traditionally, maintenance records are fragmented and distributed among various parties, including airlines, MRO providers, and regulatory agencies. This fragmentation can leads to delays and disputes, affecting the efficiency and reliability of aircraft maintenance.
However, blockchain – with its provision of a decentralized and immutable ledger – can make the storage of maintenance records more consistent and reliable.
Each maintenance activity can be recorded as a transaction on the blockchain, creating a permanent history of each aircraft’s maintenance. And each transaction is encrypted and immutable, eliminating the possibility of manipulating maintenance records.
Records can be detailed, recording all important information associated with each maintenance activity, including which technicians were involved. These detailed, immutable records make it easier for organizations to demonstrate their compliance.
Parts Tracing and Inventory Management
Each aircraft part or component can be tagged with a unique identifier that’s recorded on the blockchain. This allows for the real-time tracking of parts throughout their lifecycle, from manufacturing to installation and eventual replacement. This traceability ensures that only certified parts are used in maintenance, improving safety and compliance.
Baggage Handling
In terms of baggage handling, each piece of luggage could be assigned a unique ID which is recorded on the blockchain. This ID would be linked to all relevant information such as passenger and flight information.
The blockchain could then be updated in real-time as the bag moves through various checkpoints, such as at check-in, security, and loading onto the aircraft. This creates a continuous, tamper-proof record of the baggage’s journey.
Combining this technology with a passenger status update app would ensure customers always know exactly where their luggage is, putting their minds as ease.
This application of blockchain has been tested at Heathrow Airport whereby ground handlers used a mobile app for tracking aircraft containers. The results showed a 7% increase in productivity, a 28% decrease in loading times, and a 90% reduction in human error.
Sustainability
With sustainability being such a major focus in the industry, various technologies are being developed and adopted to make aviation greener. IATA expects sustainable fuels to be the most significant development when it comes to achieving net zero, responsible for 65% of emissions reductions.
Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAFs)
SAFs are an alternative to conventional jet fuels and are produced from renewable sources such as biomass, waste oils, and agricultural residues (biogenic SAFs) or green hydrogen (synthetic SAFs).
SAFs can reduce carbon emissions by up to 80%, and Airbus expect all their aircraft and helicopters to be using 100% SAF by 2030 (for now, they can fly using a blend of 50% SAF and traditional fuel).
According to IATA, SAF production reached 600 million liters in 2023 – double the amount for 2022. This only accounts for 0.2% of global jet fuel use, but it’s expected that over the next few decades, it will be feasible to replace almost all fuel with SAFs.
In the coming years, fuel suppliers will be mandated to blend increasing amounts of SAFs with traditional fuel. In the EU, for example, the ReFuelEU Regulation states that from 2025, suppliers will have to use a minimum blend of 2% SAFs, increasing to 70% in 2050.
Electric and Hybrid Aircraft
According to Fortune Business Insights, the global market for electric and hybrid aircraft is forecast to be worth USD 465.6 billion by 2050, up from USD 3.31 billion in 2024 – a CAGR of 21.7% during the forecast period.
Electric aircraft use electric propulsion systems, which produce zero emissions during flight. Hybrid aircraft combine electric motors and conventional internal combustion engines. The two can be used together or alternately.
Aviation Week reports that Europe’s Alliance for Zero-Emission Aviation (AZEA) has forecast that 20,000 of these aircraft will be delivered in Europe by 2050.
Advanced Aerodynamics and Lightweight Materials
Advancements in aerodynamics and the use of lightweight materials are also crucial for enhancing fuel efficiency.
New aircraft designs focus on reducing drag, which is a major factor in fuel consumption. Innovations such as blended wing bodies and canard wings can significantly improve lift-to-drag ratios, leading to better fuel efficiency during flight.
(A Blended Wing Body (BWB) aircraft design integrates the wings and the main body into a single, smooth structure, unlike traditional aircraft where the fuselage and wings are distinct components. Canard wings are small forward wings located in front of the main wings of an aircraft.)
Likewise, materials like carbon fiber composites reduce the overall weight of aircraft. Lighter aircraft require less thrust to fly, which translates to lower fuel consumption. The use of these materials is becoming more common in the construction of new aircraft.
Compliance Monitoring and Automation
Compliance is a complex and time-consuming process in this sector, so systems are being adopted to streamline processes and ensure adherence. Airlines can use dedicated software that issues documentation to staff, ensuring they are always up to date with the regulations they need to be aware of in their roles.
Software is used in many industries to continuously monitor compliance with regulatory requirements by analyzing operational data, identifying deviations from standards, and generating alerts for corrective actions.
Other software such as MRO or flight operation systems can automate routine tasks such as reporting, reducing the workload for personnel responsible for monitoring compliance.
Advancements in Ground Handling
The efficiency of ground handling operations is essential in ensuring flights are on time. We already mentioned how blockchain can help with baggage tracking – so, what other technologies are out there?
Autonomous Ground Vehicles
Autonomous ground vehicles are being adopted to assist with tasks such as towing aircraft, transporting baggage, and refueling. These vehicles use sensors and AI to navigate airport environments safely and efficiently, reducing the need for manual labor.
Automated Baggage Handling
We’re already seeing more self-service bag drop kiosks at airports, helping reduce queues at check-in, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to automating baggage handling.
Automated baggage handling systems use conveyor belts, robotic arms, and RFID technology to sort and transport baggage efficiently, significantly reducing the need for heavy lifting by human workers.
During busy periods, baggage handlers may have to lift far more bags than regulations state they should, leading to potential injuries and decreased efficiency. So, automating processes such as loading, unloading, transport, and buffering enhance operational efficiency and safety. Automated loading and unloading systems may simply involve lifting aids, or they may be fully automated robotic solutions.
Where significant automation is used, the role of human workers becomes more supervisory; they would only need to lift bags as an exception – for example, time-critical bags that cannot be handled via the typical batch loading process.
Drones and Repair Robots
Drones are becoming more common in maintenance, cargo delivery and security operations. In terms of maintenance, they can perform inspections by capturing visual and sensor data, then transmitting it to technicians for further analysis. As well as boosting efficiency, this improves worker safety by reducing the need for technicians to examine aircraft at-height.
As well as inspecting aircraft, they can be used to inspect critical infrastructure around airports. More advanced drones can perform preliminary diagnostics based on their findings.
Drones are also used to transport parts across airport facilities, reducing the fuel usage of ground vehicles. As for security, they can quickly survey large areas from their aerial perspective, augmenting surveillance capabilities and maintaining runway safety (such as ensuring runways are free of wildlife).
Robots are increasingly working alongside humans or conducting repairs independently. For example, the CAIRE Robot developed by Lufthansa Technik can detect and repair large, damaged areas on aircraft wings and fuselage, even in challenging positions like upside down. This allows for quick assessments and repairs, minimizing downtime.
Conclusion
The future of aviation is being shaped by a range of advanced technologies, from blockchain to robotics to various sustainable innovations. These technologies are driving significant improvements in efficiency, safety, and environmental impact, while also enhancing the passenger experience.
At Zafire, we offer a selection of world class aviation solutions that make operations more efficient and cost-effective. To learn more about how we can improve your baggage handling and loading processes – and much more – contact us today to request a demo.
