Airports are interconnected systems that deal with a variety of stakeholders, including airlines, passengers, security, ground personnel, and regulators. Airports must gather, analyze, and use data from many sources in order to handle these systems efficiently and effectively. Airports can employ data analytics to boost their airline operations, enhance the customer experience, efficiently manage their resources, and raise revenue. In this article, we will look at four different ways airports are employing data analytics to achieve these objectives.
Improving Flight Scheduling and Timely Performance
One of the most difficult challenges for airports is to make sure that flights have been scheduled and operated according to schedule without any delays or interruptions. Airports can accomplish this by using data analytics to monitor and adapt their schedules instantly based on flight status, weather conditions, aviation traffic, and airport congestion. For example, Miami Airport WiFi (MIA) utilizes data analytics, including the OAG Analyser Analytics Platform and FlightAware service, to enhance flight scheduling and on-time performance. Data analytics can also assist airports in identifying the reasons for delays and implementing corrective steps such as rescheduling flights, reassigning gates, or rerouting passengers.
Improving Passenger Satisfaction and Understanding Needs
Data analytics plays a pivotal role in helping airports gain insights into passengers’ requirements, preferences, and behaviors, enabling the delivery of tailored services and promotions. For instance, some airports utilize data analytics to track passengers’ entire journey, from booking tickets to departing the airport, offering useful information like flight updates, check-in options, baggage status, and boarding details.
Optimizing Resource Management and Cost Reduction
A third way airports are using data analytics is to optimize their resource management and cost reduction. Data analytics can help airports plan and allocate their resources, such as staff, equipment, and facilities, based on demand and availability. Luton Airport Wifi employs data analytics via Veovo for optimizing passenger flow and resource allocation, smart metering for energy efficiency, and collaborates with Cirium to enhance flight operations and address disruptions.
Increasing Revenue Generation and Diversification
A fourth application of data analytics in airports is to boost income production and diversification. Data analytics can assist airports in discovering and capitalizing on new revenue streams such as retail, parking spaces, advertising, and additional services. For example, certain airports use data analytics to analyze their passengers’ spending patterns and preferences in order to offer them customized products and services, including duty-free shops, dining lounges, and automobile rentals. Other airports employ data analytics to assess the performance and ROI of their marketing and advertising efforts, as well as to optimize pricing and placement tactics.