From hindsight to insight to foresight: The role of data analytics
Data analytics will play an important role in supporting decision making across all the airport’s organisational units – at the maintenance, operational and management levels.
By capturing data in real time and using analytical tools, airports are able to gain insights through different tiers of data analytics.
Depending on the level of data maturity, they can start asking questions: what happened; why did it happen; what is likely to happen; and what action do we need to take to eliminate future problems?
Learn how data analytics help airports optimise capacity and future-proof their operations
Reducing OPEX costs
A data-driven approach to airport processes will also yield OPEX savings by providing greater visibility into operations. Airports can, in fact, run their systems with substantially less staff than previously required.
Through decision science, decision making no longer depends on one person with specialised knowledge. Machine learning and AI tools enable systems to operate by themselves, making maintenance and operation staff less critical in the hourly operations. Furthermore, operations are less vulnerable to staff leaving with their know-how as their operational intelligence is now stored in the data.
The game-changing digital twin
Airports are increasingly seeing the advantages of digital twin technology to integrate their ecosystems, support their infrastructure, visualise their processes, train staff and increase collaboration.
A digital twin is a fully functional digital replica of an asset, including its physical structure, its behaviour and its associated processes. The technology allows the airport to determine where its assets — whether it’s a jet engine, a turbine, a vehicle or a baggage handling system — performs well and where it can be improved.
To learn how airports can become more resilient for future disruptive events, read the full report here.