Looking back at 2023, it was one for the ages in aviation.
We saw the dawn of a new era in the post-pandemic world. Airlines like JetBlue are expanding their transatlantic service with the boom at hand. New technology is coming onboard. And old technology is going away with the delivery of the last Boeing 747 officially in the books.
Here are some of the biggest stories impacting airports this year and some of the key takeaways for the industry when it comes to moving forward.
BIL Year Two
As we enter the halfway point of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill’s lifespan, the shovels will start hitting the ground. The 2023 Airport Business Infrastructure Report showed leaders utilized the bill to move up timelines on existing airport improvement plans. Most were focused on planning, engineering and architecture investments, so now it’s time to see the backhoe hit the apron in 2024.
System Meltdowns
Airline computer outages sprung up this year, none more notable than the massive outage by Southwest Airlines in spring. Hundreds of flights were impacted with thousands of travelers stranded. The event underscores the importance of regular IT audits inside aviation organizations to assess infrastructure.
It also highlights how devastating an outage could be if spurred by malicious actors. Consider your cybersecurity plans and efforts you can take to harden systems.
Runway Incursions
The core of this issue isn’t going away anytime soon. The lack of air traffic controllers is an ongoing issue that is going to take time to fix. But it serves as a great reminder to audit your ground operations training and ensure airfield operations are committed to safe movements inside the fence.
AI is Ready for the Airport
AI emerged in a big way in 2023, but it’s not just for search engines. The advent of mature AI is going to have a profound impact on airport operations given the intelligence it can provide and automation opportunities it presents. From security screenings and enhanced customer service to predictive maintenance and next-generation apron operations, this technology is going to revolutionize airports quickly.
AI considerations need to be part of airport improvement planning today if you’re going to future-proof your facilities.
