The aviation industry has been on an upward trajectory, experiencing growth in terms of the number of air travel passengers. The Airports Council International (ACI) World projects airports worldwide will be serving around 17.7 billion passengers by 2043 and 22.3 billion by 2053.
Despite the surge being a good thing for business, airports will likely experience significant challenges keeping up with the needed operational efficiencies for such a high number of travellers.
As we know, airport inefficiencies are not a good thing. They lead to flight delays, financial losses for both the airports and airlines, prolonged wait times for passengers and even cancelled flights.
To overcome these obstacles, airports need to think outside the box and use cutting-edge technologies and strategies to make things easier for passengers, better use of resources, and more efficient overall. So, what strategies do airports need to adopt to improve airport operational efficiencies?
Enhance Data Integration with Platform Consolidation
Modern technology has made data storing and sharing easier though the advent of cloud computing. With a unified platform for all operations, airport services no longer need separate data solutions, equipping all stakeholders with the necessary tools for effective business practices.
Additionally, cloud-based solutions give airport managers full operational visibility, allowing them to gather insights prompted by data and make choices in real time to prevent setbacks. Thanks to readily available data, airports can keep an eye on demand and quickly respond to customer needs.
Invest in Continuous Staff Training and Development
Preaching a culture of continuous improvement is easy, however, actually implementing it is far more difficult. Workers who undergo thorough training and are carefully onboarded are less prone to make errors that reduce operational efficiency. However, training shouldn’t end with onboarding.
Training programs should cover the most recent trends, technology, and tools that the airport plans to use in the future, and employees should have opportunities to learn new skills that will help them and the airport grow professionally.
To facilitate better cooperation across different departments, some airports also use cross-functional training and collaboration. This makes the airport more malleable and responsive in the event of personnel or organisational changes.
Embrace Automation and Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Automation of previously manual tasks can now be done with modern engineering and innovation, which helps in transforming the previously inefficient operations of an airport. Airports can more accurately and efficiently reach their goals by reducing human participation in specific tasks.
For instance, self-service kiosks allow passengers to speed up their travel experience while staff members are able to assist with other tasks. Other areas that require automation, like customer data management and luggage weighing, would also benefit from reduced human error, increased accuracy, and better resource allocation.
On the other hand, airport managers stand to benefit from advancements in artificial intelligence when it comes to ensuring accurate demand estimation, inventory tracking, staff and maintenance timetable planning, and even fault identification.
With the ability to analyse real-time data, airports stand to gain from delays in aircraft arrival, weather forecasts, and many other factors for proper planning. This enables timely and accurate decision-making by airport officials.
AI can also play a major role in enhancing the efficiency of customer service at airports. For example, chatbots alongside natural language processing interacting with customers and employees can assist with flight status, directional guidance within the terminal, and onboarding activities.
Leverage Data and Analytics for Smarter Decision-Making
Without data, it’s impossible to tell whether your airport is more efficient. Simply believing you can do more with less isn’t a scientific approach. Employing your existing analytics tools together with additional resources, such as user activity tracking and staff monitoring software, can help you get valuable insights into operational performance.
With the help of this data, you can find out which airport employees are the most and least productive, and see which procedures are becoming more difficult to replicate, while getting a plethora of data to decide where to put money for growth and where to minimise costs.
Key performance indicators typically include operational cost, customer satisfaction (CSAT) metrics, and productivity, but each airport has to find what works best for them. If you make good use of data, you can maximise not only airport operational efficiency but also process mapping, and cost management.
Prioritise Communication and Collaboration
Operations become less effective in the presence of poor teamwork and communication. Therefore, it is important that airports adopt strong communication and interaction strategies. For example, airports can ensure that ground crews, airline staff, and other personnel that depend on real-time informational updates are kept informed and respond quickly. This can be done by consolidating the process and using modern real-time communication systems.
To promote inter-team collaboration and provide information access in real time, asset management systems need to be improved to eliminate communication barriers. With the use of project management software and other communication tools, teams can achieve better coordination and deliver on the organisational goals.
Conclusion
Addressing the efficiency of an airport’s operations is a multifaceted issue that calls for tackling present issues while using sustainable practices and sophisticated technology. Airports can remain successful if they are willing to accept change and adopt new technologies that arise with shifts in the aviation market.
However, improving the operational efficiency of airports involves more than just technology; it’s also about making passengers’ travels easier and more pleasant and ensuring airport operations can last for years to come.