AI and Data Science in Aviation Industry: 5 Real-life Use Cases

Summary

The video explores the future of AI in aviation, focusing on the potential for AI-controlled planes and current uses of AI in the airline industry. While fully autonomous commercial planes are still far off, airlines are already using AI for tasks like revenue management, fuel consumption optimization, and biometric boarding. The video discusses real-life examples of AI improving operational efficiency, such as optimizing food supply and reducing delays, while also highlighting the hurdles of adopting AI pilots due to safety concerns and public trust.

Takeaways

• ✈️ Boeing and Airbus have tested self-piloted air vehicles, but fully pilotless commercial planes are still years away from certification and testing.
• 💻 AI and data science are already used in aviation, particularly in areas like revenue management, route planning, and customer service.
• 🛬 Airlines use AI to analyze passenger demand, including factors such as social media chatter and event data, to optimize flights and pricing.
• 🍽️ EasyJet leveraged data science to predict food and beverage demand on flights, significantly reducing food waste and saving millions.
• 🌍 Commercial aviation contributes 2.4% of global CO2 emissions, and airlines like Southwest are using AI to improve fuel efficiency and lower costs.
• 👁️‍🗨️ Facial recognition technology is being used by airlines like Delta to streamline boarding processes and improve customer experience.
• ⏱️ AI is helping airlines reduce turnaround times between flights by monitoring service operations like fueling and cleaning, reducing costly delays.
• 🛫 Data science helps airlines optimize flight schedules and routes by analyzing thousands of factors, including traveler behavior and external events.
• 🧳 AI-driven biometric systems are being piloted in airports to enhance security and reduce boarding times, with positive feedback from passengers.
• 🚫 Despite advancements in AI, airlines remain cautious about fully automated planes due to safety concerns, and widespread adoption is still far off.

Q & A

What was the initial reaction to the idea of pilotless planes according to the article?

Many people reacted emotionally, with some expressing their discomfort and others sharing their knowledge about the aviation industry. Some users were more prepared to accept driverless cars than pilotless planes, possibly because they felt safer on the road than in the air.

How is AI currently being used in the aviation industry?

AI is currently used in aviation for tasks like revenue management, route planning, optimizing fuel consumption, analyzing passenger demand, and enhancing operations such as boarding through facial recognition technology. However, full AI control of flights without human pilots is still in the distant future.

What example was given to illustrate how airlines use data to understand traveler demand?

The example of LOT Polish Airlines’ direct flight between Chicago O’Hare and Krakow was used, highlighting that despite the non-capital city pair, the high demand from Chicago’s large Polish-descended population justified the route.

How did EasyJet use data science to reduce cabin waste?

EasyJet's data science team analyzed the demand for food items on different routes, learning that the demand varies significantly based on factors like flight time and destination. This allowed the airline to reduce food waste by better matching supply with actual demand, saving money and reducing environmental impact.

What are the two main reasons airlines are trying to reduce fuel consumption?

Airlines are trying to reduce fuel consumption to lower carbon emissions, which contributed to 2.4% of global CO2 emissions in 2018, and to save costs, as jet fuel represented 23.5% of airline expenses in 2018.

How did Southwest Airlines improve its fuel consumption forecasting?

Southwest Airlines developed predictive models using time series algorithms and neural networks, which allowed them to generate 9,600 monthly fuel consumption forecasts in just five minutes, compared to the 1,200 forecasts previously produced manually by analysts over several days.

What role does facial recognition technology play in modern aviation?

Facial recognition technology is used to streamline the boarding process, allowing passengers to check in and board faster and more securely. Airlines like Delta have introduced this biometric technology in several airports, with positive feedback from travelers who appreciate its efficiency.

How do airlines use event data to manage traveler demand and pricing?

Airlines use event data like festivals, conferences, or expos to predict short-term spikes in demand for certain routes. They then adjust pricing accordingly to capitalize on the increased demand, helping optimize revenue.

What challenges do airlines face when preparing a plane for its next flight?

Airlines face delays due to late catering, fueling, or cleaning services during the turnaround process, which affects boarding and departure times. Delays caused by plane servicing accounted for 5.8% of all flight delays in the US in 2018.

Why might airlines be cautious about fully embracing AI-controlled planes?

Airlines are conservative when it comes to safety-related technologies. They are likely to wait until AI matures and proves reliable, as well as until the traveling public is more comfortable with trusting AI systems for critical functions like flying planes.