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Artificial Intelligence: The Future Of Air Travel!

AirWhizzAug 27, 2018 No Comments

Artificial Intelligence: The Future Of Air Travel!

Aviation Insider

Thanks to emerging technologies and growing knowledge of digital data collection, we’ve reached a tipping point in the evolution of aviation Information Technology (IT).

If this trend continues to grow over the next couple of decades we’ll see a radical change in the way we travel by air. And it will all be down to new types of Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications.

With airports such as the Kempegowda International Airport in Bangalore planning to use biometric scanners to improve security & airlines such as Vistara using humanoid robots to improve customer experience, we can clearly see that AI is here to stay.

But before we get into how AI has been implemented in the aviation industry and its uses, let us tell you a bit about what exactly Artificial Intelligence is.

What Is Artificial Intelligence?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a complex digital system which simulates human intelligence processes or in simple terms, human behaviour.

It uses machines and computer systems to acquire information, reach conclusions and solve problems in the way we as humans would do. AI uses technologies such as Big Data, Augmented reality and Virtual Reality to do this.

Although building machines that initiate common sense, reasoning and problem-solving is a difficult and tedious task, the aviation industry is actively exploring and introducing AI technologies in all its sectors.

Future Of AI In Aviation?

1.On-Time Performance

Flight disruptions, mainly due to weather, costed the air transportation industry almost $25 Billion last year.

That’s why airlines and airports are looking at technologies to enhance responsiveness during disruptions, improving performance and customer service.

It is predicted that over the next 3 years 80% of the airlines around the world will invest in major Research & Development programs for creating prediction & Warning Systems. These will heavily rely on AI.

2.Human Interaction

The Chatbot is another AI driven technology which is catching up with this industry. Globally, almost 14% of airlines and 9% of airports now use this program.

Aviation authorities all over the world want to embrace chatbots to help customers out. It is predicted that by 2020, 68% of airlines and 42% of airports plan to adopt AI-driven chatbot services.

Chatbots mimic human conversation, they can help with customer queries, perform check-ins and book flights. A machine taking your reservation via voice commands is on the brink of becoming a reality.

3.AI Driven Humanoid Robots

More AI applications will arrive as the popularity of air travel rises. It will help authorities challenge the significant growth in passenger traffic.

Throughout the airport, AI will manage humanoid robots for information and guidance, check-in, immigration, luggage transport duties and a whole lot more around airport operations and security.

Equipped with face recognition, they’ll understand spoken language, print or show information on screens, scan passports and boarding passes, process visas, and show people the way.

4. Automated Airport Operations

Augmented by robots, AI will evolve to support flight operations, facility management, baggage handling and cargo operations.

It will be working behind the scenes to transfer bags/equipment, reassign gates and coordinate with the ground crew to accommodate changes in schedule as well as service interruptions.

What Are The Challenges?

1.Data Management

A large amount of data will be in use as the aviation industry embraces AI. This will give rise to data confidentiality risks.

A recent incident happened with Emirates airline where the airline leaked customer data to third parties without authorization.

Customer details such as name, email, itinerary, phone number and even passport number were shared with third-party service providers like Google & Facebook.

2.Tracking Progress

Tracking progress is an enormous challenge that airlines will face.

The first thing they need to do is to develop analytics that will help them develop and process accurate data. However, that in itself is a challenge.

For example, customer satisfaction is going to be one of the most important factors in success. What kind of analytics will determine that airlines have been improving on customer satisfaction parameters?

3.Managing Investment

AI needs huge investments and probably the biggest risk in this is that smaller, especially budget airlines may miss out on reaping the benefits of AI fully.

Does that mean that the performance of the smaller carriers will be impacted? That might not be the case, because we might be moving toward more acquisitions and mergers.

Bigger airlines will have a massive appetite for acquiring smaller airlines with an eye on the market.

How Air Travel May Look In The Future?

  • Let’s say today is the first day of your vacation, and you’ll be flying somewhere new. AI will do everything for you from the moment you booked your flight. It will select the best flight time, your preferred seat /customized meals, and even get you checked in on your flight.

 

  • Once you arrive at the airport, your AI assistant will suggest you to go to the shortest queue, because it has predicted it is the shortest path with the least congestion. In future airports, there will be very little waiting in lines because AI will predict the movements of each passenger, will optimize the flow and will allocate queues accordingly. There will no longer be a need to arrive at the airport two hours prior.

 

  • At the security check you wont have to spend time waiting in the line. AI will recognize you and confirm your identity with biometric data and face recognition. Since AI will report that there is no suspicious object detected, you will finish your security process within minutes.

 

  • Before you get on the airplane, AI will finish the aircraft diagnosis, weather analysis, predict risk and plan the flight. The accurate scheduled time will be updated in real-time and shared with you directly.

 

  • The airplane will not need to wait on the taxiway for its turn to take off. AI will support individual flights and the entire navigation system. It will support the airplane traffic flow optimally to provide the best route toward your destination.

 

  • Potential risks will be identified and mitigated to avoid unexpected conflict. If a situation arises, it will flexibly be managed through AI to ensure a safe flight.

 

  • You’ll arrive on time and baggage claim, customs or immigration will be handled quickly and smoothly.

 

  • AI will capture data from the journey and the chat-bot from the airline will check in with you to ensure you had a pleasant flight. The AI will then use your response to improve its knowledge for better service.

It sounds a bit like science fiction, but it isn’t. We can’t be sure about all the ways in which AI will impact our lives but what we do know is that it will continue to evolve.

Modern technological innovations in air travel are slowly coming to India and we at AirWhizz are continuously trying to implement it and bring it to you as a passenger. From real-time flight updates to providing information about airports and airlines, we help you plan your air travel all the way.

Download the AirWhizz App NOW and Fly Stress-Free!

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Kolkata Airport Get New Trolleys For The Upcoming Festive Season!

AirWhizzAug 27, 2018 No Comments

Kolkata Airport Get New Trolleys For The Upcoming Festive Season!

Aviation Insider

Kolkata airport handles about 50000 passengers a day. With flights scheduled between 6 AM and midnight, around 2,700 persons either arrive at or depart from the airport per hour. Luggage trolley is the first thing that a passenger looks for at the airport.

In a bid to provide better services to passengers during the upcoming festive season, Kolkata Airport has got a set of 600 new baggage trolleys at the airport.

The new baggage trolleys will help the airport manage the passenger rush at the airport during the Durga Puja and other upcoming festivals.

According to airport officials, the new consignment is part of a 4000 trolley-supply deal with a Mumbai based firms, Delite Systems Engineering Pvt Ltd.

Till now the company has supplied 3100 new trolleys, including the 600 which Kolkata Airport received on Saturday. The rest of the trolleys are expected to arrive by the end of 2018.

Here are a few salient features of the new trolleys –

  • It has a rear wheel cover to prevent apparel such as “Dupattas” or longs scarves getting tangled in them.
  • It is lighter than the previous trolleys
  • It has a lower luggage platform which will increase the load capacity and make it more spacious
  • Front wheels are designed in the shape of an aircraft’s nosewheel, making it agile and easy to move.
  • Overall, it has a better design as compared to the old trolleys

At Kolkata airport, finding a trolley has been a problem, especially during busy hours or late at night. On top of that, Passengers have had to deal with poor customer service at the airport because of which the airport rankings have gone down.

Hopefully, with such initiatives, the passenger experience will improve, and the ratings of the Kolkata airport will go up. This move will also help the airport management to streamline the trolley system making it easier and smoother for them to handle.

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India’s First Biofuel Run Airplane To Fly On Monday!

AirWhizzAug 25, 2018 No Comments

India’s First Biofuel Run Airplane To Fly On Monday!

Aviation Insider

India is all set to create history. It may become the first developing nation to test a biofuel-run aircraft!

Indian carrier, SpiceJet, announced that it will fly a passenger aircraft which will solely run on biofuel.

The aircraft will take-off from Dehradun on Monday and fly around the city. If it’s a success, SpiceJet will make the airplane fly again from Dehradun to Delhi. Senior officials from the government and airline will be on board the flight to see the results.

The main purpose is to make air travel economical and bring some respite to airlines in India who are fleeing the pressure of rising fuel prices globally.

Biofuel, produced from vegetable oils, recycled grease, algae, and animal fat, is an alternative fuel that can be used in place of fossil fuels. According to some estimates, biofuel has the potential to reduce the aviation carbon emissions by up to 80 percent.

Global association of airlines, International Air Transport Association (IATA), has set a goal to cut carbon emissions for the industry by 50 percent by 2050.

Till now, no developing nation has tested a biofuel-run flight. However, some developed nations like Australia and the US have flown commercial flights on the sustainable fuel. Australian airline Qantas had flown a Dreamliner between Los Angeles and Melbourne in January this year.

Alaska Airlines and KLM had also tested flights using biofuel. Many nations are testing biofuels for flight operations to get independence from Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) which is a non-renewable fossil fuel and costly.

If the test flight on Monday is a success, we may soon have ‘Green’ airplanes flying us from one place to another. Biofuels will definitely be a cost-effective and pollution-free substitute for ATF

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10 Air Travel Myths That Aren’t True!

AirWhizzAug 24, 2018 No Comments

10 Air Travel Myths That Aren’t True!

Aviation Insider

At some point in your life you must have heard stories about flying that make you go “ What? Really? Are you Sure?”!

Some of them are actually true like “There is no “Number 13” row on an airplane”. But most of the myths floating around are just rumours and aren’t actually true.

In fact, some myths are so scary that people don’t want to get on an airplane because of them, but we all know how safe air travel is.

Well, to bust those rumours and make you aware flyers, here are 10 popular air travel myths that are definitely not true.

1. Flying Is The Most Expensive Mode Of Travel

Well, let’s get this myth out of the way!

Of course in absolute terms it is expensive. A round trip from India to any European country can cost you almost 1/4th of your month’s salary.

But when it comes to traveling, that is going from point A to point B, it’s actually pretty cheap.

According to a study conducted by the American Automobile Association, the average cost to drive per 1 km is around 60 cents (Rs 38.52), while flying sets us back only 10 to 15 cents (Rs 7.92) per km.

Let’s look at it from another perspective. If you go on a road trip from Mumbai To Bangalore(960Km) it will cost you around Rs 5500( Including Fuel and Toll cost). But a flight ticket on the same route will cost you less than Rs 2000 on a low-cost airline.

2. Airplane Doors Can Be Opened Mid-Flight

Don’t worry! if someone tries to open the cabin door while you’re cruising along at 35,000 feet, the door will stay shut.

The cabin doors can only be opened if the pressure on the inside and outside of the aircraft are virtually the same.

The air pressure at high altitude is dangerously low, which is why the cabin pressure is increased artificially inside.

3. Thunderstorms Increase The Risk Of An Airplane Crash

According to aviation experts, an aircraft is hit by lighting at least once a year.

But don’t worry! it will not burn and char your airplane. Airplanes are built to absorb over eight times the energy carried by a bolt of lightning.

The tiny pin-like devices you must have seen on the wings of your airplane, absorbs the electric energy and does not let it affect the passengers or the aircraft electronics.

Also, aircraft manufacturers build airplanes in such a way that they don’t tear apart in rough weather. The wings and the main body of an aircraft can withstand extreme wind pressure when flying.

4.Clearing A Computer’s Browsing History Will Yield Lower Fares

There’s a long-standing rumour that airlines and travel agents increase flight prices when you repeat a search.

Well, it’s not true!

The idea behind the hack is that when you’re searching for flights, airlines and travel sites take note of your movements and jack up the prices when you come back.

In fact, some travellers have claimed that the prices had increased when they came back to look at airfares for the second time on a website. However, most frequent flyers and travel experts have said that you will find similar flight prices whether your browser is cleared of cookies or not.

A famous travel search engine ‘Skyscanner’ conducted a study and found there is no such evidence of this. The study showed that it isn’t possible for a ‘cookie’ to influence prices because you’re anonymous according to the website till the time you don’t book a ticket.

5. Airlines Aren’t Affected If Their Airplane Crashes

Some passengers may think that airline companies are less bothered by safety and more so by profits.

In case you didn’t know, airlines have been investing heavily in research and development of new technologies that can make flying safer for us.

Plus, the airplane that you are flying in is worth around £100,000,000 and the compensation that an airline company would need to pay out would also cost millions.

6. Duty-Free Is Always Cheaper

The stuff they sell in duty-free, whether it be champagne, chocolate or cosmetics, can seem incredibly tempting.

However, it doesn’t always mean that you’ll get a good deal at the shop. Duty-free just means taxes won’t be collected. It doesn’t mean that prices are necessarily lower.

In certain countries, duty-free may represent excellent value for money, but in most, you’ll be shelling out more than the steepest retail prices in your hometown.

7. Flight Attendants Are On The Airplane To Serve You

Yes, they do push carts down the aisle to serve you drinks but consider that a bonus. Their real work is making sure passengers are safe and secure.

They go through years of training at the academy to handle emergency situations and make sure that you’re unharmed during a mid-flight crisis.

This means a crew member’s word is law on an airplane, and if one of them tells you to do something, you are obligated to obey.

8.If The Engine Fails The Airplane Will Immediately Drop

The thought of an engine failure causing the airplane to plummet can be a huge worry for any flier. But, In actuality, a plane can still manage to land without one.

An airplane is simply a big glider and they can be flown and landed without an engine. Plus pilots go through rigorous training to land this big glider.

Famous Hollywood movie “Sully” is based on a real-life event, where the captain glided the airplane across the Huston River when all four of its engines failed.

9. You Automatically Get A Jet-Lag When You Fly Internationally

Jet lag isn’t necessarily caused by a lack of sleep, but rather sleeping at the wrong time.

The best practice is to align your eating and sleeping as close as possible to the appropriate times for those activities in the local time of your destination.

This will help you avoid that dazed, drowsy feeling after a flight.

10. Flights Wait For People Who Check-In Late

Airlines have a very complex flight schedule which they have to stick to. Plus they have to incur huge losses when a flight is delayed.

They do consider people checking in late when they are scheduling a flight.

So unless there is a major issue and if you check in late, you’re at the mercy of the airline.

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In-Flight Internet & Calling Services May Start In October 2018!

AirWhizzAug 24, 2018 No Comments

In-Flight Internet & Calling Services May Start In October 2018!

Aviation Insider

The telecom department is all set to allow in-flight calls and internet services on airplanes in India by October end this year.

The Department of Telecommunications(DoT) has said that they are in the final stages of in-flight connectivity license norms and the service option will be given to carriers and telecom companies within two months

DoT has largely followed all recommendations put forth by the Telecom Regulatory Authority Of India (TRAI) in terms of drafting guidelines. After the department clear the plan, an estimated two weeks will be required for the Law Ministry’s approval.

There have been meetings with both telecom operators and airlines and some players have shown interest in offering the services.

In January 2018, TRAI issued recommendations to allow both calling and Internet services on domestic flights. As part of the in-flight connectivity proposal, the Telecom Commission will initially allow Wi-Fi on flights and slowly get into voice services as well.

The internet services will be allowed through Wi-Fi onboard. For calling services, the airplane/flight mode on the phone will have to be kept off. It is expected that consumers will need to pay an additional fee to avail these in-flight services, however, telecom companies may gradually throw-in bundled packages to attract frequent fliers.

While there is no immediate clarity on pricing of such services, analysts say that it could be much higher than the rates for mobile services on the ground. This is because airlines will have to make an initial investment to install the equipment required to support in-flight connectivity.

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Cochin International Airport Will Reopen From 29th August!

AirWhizzAug 23, 2018 No Comments

Cochin International Airport Will Reopen From 29th August!

Aviation Insider

There is some good news for travellers flying to/from the flood-hit city of Kochi!

Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) has announced that it will resume flight operations from 29th August 2018.

The airport has been shut since 15th August because of massive floods in the region, after various dams in Idukki district opened their gates in the wake of heavy rains.

Initially the airport was to start from 26th August, however, Officials said that the opening had been put off by three days as 90 percent of the staff had been affected by Kerala’s worst floods in a century.

After intense rescue operations, the Southern Naval command on Wednesday called off its 14-day long operation in flood-hit Kerala, saying there were no more requests for evacuation as waters were receding in affected areas.

It also said Naval personnel rescued a total of 16,005 people during ‘Operation Madad’, launched on August 9 for assisting the state administration and undertaking disaster relief operations.

Flights were diverted to Trivandrum Airport and Calicut Airport after Cochin International Airport was shut down. Trivandrum International Airport handled a total of 480 additional flights till yesterday. As many as 146 rescue and relief flights were also operated from the airport. The airport managed around 30,000 additional passengers during these days, including Haj pilgrims.

Things seem to be coming back to normal, however, Cochin International Airport has suffered a lot of damage due to the floods. It is reported that the airport has suffered an estimated loss of Rs 220 crores.

Large sections of the airport suffered damage after the Periyar River, which is located in close proximity to the compound, overflowed. The flood water completely submerged runways, taxi bays and the duty-free shops in both the domestic and international terminals.

Another aspect that suffered severe damage during the floods is the solar power system of the airport. The airport has garnered headlines in the past few years as the world’s first completely solar-powered airport.

CIAL has started work on rebuilding crucial infrastructure, including 2.5 km of walls that were damaged in the floods.

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Bangalore Airport Becomes The World’s 2nd Fastest Growing Airport!

AirWhizzAug 22, 2018 No Comments

Bangalore Airport Becomes The World’s 2nd Fastest Growing Airport!

Aviation Insider

Bangalore Airport has emerged as the second fastest growing airport in the world, In terms of passenger growth, among the top 20 major airports in the world.

The airport recorded a total of 1,58,50,352 passengers handled from the month of January to June this year, with an addition of 41,80,852 passengers over the corresponding period last year. It is next to Tokyo’s Haneda Airport which is the world’s fastest growing airport.

‘RoutesOnline’, a company focussing on the quality and standards of aviation globally, on Tuesday released a report on major airports in the world. Only airports which have crossed a figure of 2.5 million passengers in the first six months of 2018 have been considered for analysis.

According to the Managing Director & CEO of Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL), Mr. Hari Marar, The number of passengers handled stands as a testament of the impressive growth of Bangalore as a new hub of economic activity in India, led largely by the knowledge economy.

According to aviation experts, there are a number of factors that have contributed to the growth of the Kempegowda International Airport which are given below –

  • Bangalore has been historically not very well connected via rail or roads. Plus, the city does not have a seaport, which also contributes to air traffic.
  • Industries such as IT, brick and mortar, electronics, precision engineering, food and floriculture have a huge presence in the city.

Business flyers from the tech industry & knowledge industry travel by air and traditionally people from the city travel in ‘Business Class’. They look at value for money and are money conscious. Also, Bangalore’s air traffic has been witnessing the fastest growth in the last 15 years.

New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport is placed 6th (with a growth of 32,76,183) while Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport(RGIA) is placed 17th in terms of actual growth of passengers (20,97,087 passengers).

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OLA/Uber Rides From Kolkata Airport May Become Costlier!

AirWhizzAug 21, 2018 No Comments

OLA/Uber Rides From Kolkata Airport May Become Costlier!

Aviation Insider

Your Ola/Uber ride from Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata may soon get costlier.

Agencies handling the parking and toll booths at the Kolkata Airport have decided to levy extra parking fee for ‘App’ based cabs.

Passengers may have to start paying Rs 100 extra as a fee for their cab parking at the airport. The two major app-based cab aggregators, Ola and Uber, are negotiating with authorities to reduce this fee.

Currently, passengers don’t have to pay extra as parking toll or fee, thanks to the arrangement between the cab aggregators and the Airports Authority of India (AAI). However, if this decision goes through, parking operators will start charging a hefty fee which will eventually be transferred to the passenger who has booked the ride.

According to parking agency officials, they have been loosing out on a lot of revenue as app-based cabs are allowed to park for free on the premises and on any given day around 400-500 cabs are parked in the parking lot.

Around a year ago, airport authorities entered into an agreement with Ola and Uber, allowing them to park their vehicles at a designated lot outside the old domestic airport terminal in exchange of a lump-sum annual payment.

Around Rs 35 was added to the fare of passengers booking cabs at the airport. But with the arrangement expiring earlier this month and the mandate to collect parking fee now with a new agency, AAI has asked the app based cab aggregators to negotiate the agreement with the latter.

According to the Cab officials, they will hold a meeting next week and discuss possible ways to reduce this amount or find a new way of paying the rent.

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