Description

Airport airside operations are being plagued by rising costs, shorter turnaround times, inefficient resource allocation, and the increasing demand for capacity to add more slots. Operators seek to alleviate this pressure by investing in digital technology which will enable optimization of processes, thus freeing more capacity and reducing costs. The concept of digital transformation in airports cuts across the landside and airside segments due to the common focus on enhancing passenger experience, reducing delays, and improving safety and security. It also aids in discarding legacy systems and data silos which are a wrench in the spokes of an industry that is transforming its IT architecture to utilize real-time data.

Frost & Sullivan undertook a global survey of airports in order to assess the current status of airside digital transformation programs within airports, challenges to implementation, customer requirements, and future development plans. The research findings have been complemented with information from internally held airport databases, participation and discussions at international airport conferences, as well as a number of expert interviews with major industry suppliers.

This research also tracks industry best practices and emerging trends that enable operators to combat challenges. The transition to energy-efficient technologies, precise aircraft docking, integration of real-time airside data, modernization of tower systems, and the emergence of collaborative and end-to-end management platforms are driving investments in airside systems. Niche solutions based on emerging technology such as AI, Big Data, IoT, Blockchain, and AR/VR have quipped operator interest and are being used to tackle targeted challenges.

The heavily fragmented market has begun to not only expand within the different airside segments but also diversify to other airport verticals. This has made the market vulnerable to consolidation and immense competition. As niche solutions that cater to specific challenges are being developed, suppliers have to understand the importance of system interoperability, data integration, standardization, and collaboration among the various stakeholders.

Led by modernization of air transport programs in the United States and the European Union, and efforts taken by international organizations, airside operators are investing in digital platforms such as A-CDM and TAM to promote real-time data sharing with stakeholders. Operators are involving suppliers in the planning of processes and engaging in risk-sharing partnerships, requesting robust business cases and demanding SLAs. These investments are driving opportunities for suppliers to target product development and achieve market penetration, focusing on challenges and requirements specific to the regions. New revenue streams and strategic imperatives for growth and success have also been outlined in the research service.

Author: Renjit Benjamin