With millions of travelers traveling around the world this holiday season, airline operators are facing … [+]
In 2023, almost three in ten flights arrived more than 15 minutes late, according to Eurocontrol’s 2024 data snapshot. Unfortunately, the reality – for many travelers around the world – is still the same today. The holiday season brings a familiar hustle and bustle: crowded airports, long lines at security, delayed flights and an occasional scramble to find a boarding gate. It’s a logistical nightmare that tests even the most experienced travel operators. But now, backed by AI, the travel industry is finding some respite amid the chaos.
Udi Segall, CEO of IntellAct, said in an interview that the role of AI in the travel industry is not just about technology, but also about connecting people. “The real power of AI is its impact on humans,” he told me. “This is about ensuring families reunite on time, sparing crew members from prolonged delays and providing peace of mind to passengers navigating the holiday rush.”
AI helps airports and airlines be more efficient during the holiday season, streamlining operations, reducing costs and improving the passenger experience. But for Segall, there are five main ways AI is keeping the booming travel industry on track.
5 ways AI is improving the airline industry
1. Diagnose delays and keep flights on time
One of the biggest promises of AI for the travel industry is its ability to track, analyze and improve aircraft turnaround times – an essential metric for maintaining on-time performance. Segall, who is also a board member of the Smart Airport Technologies Association, explained that AI-powered descriptive analytics can monitor every step of the turnaround process, from baggage unloading to cleaning services and delivery. boarding of passengers.
The hundreds of data points collected by AI often help generate a clear picture of how long each step takes. So when delays occur, AI’s diagnostic capabilities come into play, identifying root causes such as slower-than-expected boarding or baggage handling issues.
“This information would be impossible to obtain manually, giving airport staff the tools to address inefficiencies in real time,” Segall said.
2. Prevent disruptions before they get worse
Beyond diagnosing delays, AI also helps predict and prevent disruptions. Through analysis of historical and real-time data, AI can predict the time it will take to resolve an issue and recommend actions to mitigate the impact. Prescriptive analyticsfor example, can suggest whether it is worth waiting for missing passengers or prioritizing fuel-efficient paths to the boarding gates.
“AI not only monitors traveler traffic, but it also enables staff to make better decisions, reducing costs and customer frustrations,” Segall noted.
3. Improve operational efficiency and sustainability
Flight delays cost time and money. Many of us are there, waiting for hours-delayed flights, seething with anger and thinking about what strong words to use in the complaints we are going to file. Such events do not bode well for airlines.
Although record number of people are flying today, according to CNNairline profits continue to plummet, with the aviation industry losing billions each year due to disruptions – from wasted fuel to labor costs and compensation for disgruntled passengers. This is an area where AI’s predictive capabilities come in handy.
Segall noted that IntellAct’s AI-based systems help airlines make the most of gates, aircraft and staff, reducing idle time and fuel consumption. He added that this would not only save money, but also help the industry stay engaged in the race to net zero by 2050.
4. Create safer airports
Although there are ethical concerns surrounding the use of AI for air travel, AI platforms like IntellAct are improving safety standards during turnaround operations, detecting and reporting violations in real time.
From spotting improperly loaded baggage to unauthorized personnel in restricted areas, AI-powered innovations are becoming increasingly useful in helping to create safer airports.
5. Transform the passenger experience
For air travelers, AI-powered tools offer less stress, shorter waits and more predictability, impacting passengers’ overall travel experience. Segall even envisions a future in which passengers enjoy seamless travel, thanks to AI-driven innovations.
From optimizing check-in times to managing gate assignments and improving on-board services, this could open up a new range of experiences for air travelers.
“Air travel hasn’t changed much for passengers in decades,” he said. “But with AI, we can finally create smoother, more enjoyable and less frustrating journeys.”
The economic superpower of AI in aviation
Perhaps the greatest benefit of integrating AI into airline operations is the economic value it presents. For example, one of the main causes of losses for airlines is flight disruptions. Every delay burns money, said Segall, who cited wasted fuel and costly labor as examples of how flight disruptions lead to losses in the aviation industry.
Imagine the cumulative increase in GDP across the world if millions of passengers spent less time waiting in airports and more time participating in meaningful activities. “By keeping flights on track, AI contributes not only to operational efficiency but also to global economic growth,” said Segall who added that “the aviation industry operates on razor-thin margins, and AI paves the way to profitability without compromising passenger experience or sustainability.”
From keeping families together during the holiday season to driving long-term economic growth, AI appears poised to change the way we get around, one flight at a time.
