There are those who believe that artificial intelligence is destined to automate the economy, displace jobs and create social havoc. I understand these concerns, but in the aviation industry, AI is having the exact opposite effect. Listen to me.
Air travel volume is bouncing back and surpassing pre-pandemic levels. There is global air passenger traffic. Expected to double. According to the International Air Transport Association, between 2019 and 2040. My airport, Toronto Pearson, is forecast to jump from 45 million passengers last year. to 65 million by mid-2030. We are seeing fewer long-haul business flights than ever before, but more passengers are heading to conference, leisure and sun destinations.
Increased demand means new and more frequent peaks for the airport workforce. Staffing levels are — and in some cases are — surpassing pre-pandemic levels. But physical expansion and enhancements take a long time: infrastructure often takes years to plan, build and operate. Toronto Pearson just announced plans to invest billions of dollars in new terminal infrastructure — both physical and digital — over the next 10 years, renovating major North American hubs like JFK, LaGuardia, and Chicago for the future. By joining O’Hare.
For airports and others poised to meet the new demand, AI will enable workers to work more efficiently with less burnout. More efficient movement of aircraft, people and goods will help everyone work more flexibly and sustainably.
Ground operations often start not only with airports and passengers, but with the evolving needs of airlines, which are always looking to reduce costs and improve their passenger mix. A trend toward larger aircraft, a strategy known as “Up gauging” has advantages for airlines, but from the airport’s perspective, it can increase the pressure on operational staff to manage higher volumes during peak volume times.
AI enhanced airport
So, how is AI helping?
Let’s first consider cargo handling, where AI-powered scheduling software is revolutionizing staff allocation. Airline baggage handlers are usually dispatched to flights as they arrive. But aircraft arrivals are always changing due to hundreds of variables. It is difficult to schedule and prioritize handlers in the movement of dozens of planes per hour. AI models can be trained on operational data, identify behavioral patterns, and optimize work in a way that humans can’t, getting teams and bags where they need to be in safe ways. , with minimum passenger waiting times and efficiency.
AI also helps optimize airport baggage handling systems to avoid delays and congestion. Toronto Pearson uses it for predictive maintenance, which helps us anticipate breakdowns before they happen and schedules work around business hours to minimize downtime. Last year, our AI-enhanced systems routinely delivered better than 99.5% uptime availability.
What about the on-time performance of flights? We are one of a growing number of airports using AI-powered software to improve gate turnaround times. Cameras and various sensors watch the aircraft as it moves through each gate, flag delays, update departure times, and reduce the amount of idle time and emissions caused by the next aircraft sitting on the apron or taxiway. can waste
Of course, AI, with its real-time data and predictive analytics, doesn’t just automate the work that ground crews need to do—it makes them better at it. And because airport operations are so tightly interconnected, a significant improvement in one part of the system causes a positive ripple effect, creating micro-improvements all downstream.
Real-time digital twin models are another example. They provide precise insights into fuel consumption and distribution that feed into AI-enhanced route planning and traffic management systems. This results in reduced taxiway times, improved aircraft fuel efficiency and reduced emissions. Global airlines are also finding endless operational use cases to leverage the power of AI optimization.
Lufthansa is using AI to predict wind patterns, reportedly with success. 40% improvement in accuracy. It helps reduce flight delays and cancellations by optimizing flight routes and schedules. By integrating a wide range of data, AI equips airlines to discover the most fuel- and time-saving route planning for their fleets.
More efficient air travel
AI has also been a game changer in cybersecurity, helping to identify anomalies, threats and patterns and allowing cyber centers to proactively close vulnerabilities. Technologies such as Single use digital token And facial recognition is used to verify the identity of passengers, aiming to make airport travel faster and more secure, with less physical contact.
In aviation and airport security, advanced technologies are reshaping operational efficiency and passenger screening. Generative AI processes vast amounts of operational data to provide optimization recommendations based on daily variations, seasonal requirements and specific airline fleet needs.
during this, Our partnership Liberty Defense has demonstrated the future of security scanning with HexWave AI screening technology. Hexwave accurately detects metal objects without the hassle of removing items from passengers’ pockets. These innovations improve airport operations and security protocols while offering a more seamless and efficient travel experience for passengers.
Balancing the pace of innovation with the need for robust security is also critical, ensuring that AI and other emerging technologies are managed with care and accountability. Headlines about False arrests based on facial recognition—or chatbots not properly protecting customer data through encryption—highlight the need for comprehensive AI governance within aviation. This governance must be developed in partnership with airports, airlines, businesses and government authorities, as these emerging technologies increasingly shape expectations in our daily lives.
From my perspective, AI is not eliminating jobs and creating social havoc in airports and aviation. In fact, quite the opposite. When developed and deployed responsibly, AI is giving our operational teams superpowers that increase system-wide efficiency, improve customer experiences for millions of passengers, and become safer and greener. Speeds up air travel.
Brian Towson is Chief Technology Officer. Greater Toronto Airport Authority.
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