Saving just a few minutes from flight time may seem trivial on paper, but it can translate into significant savings for airlines.
advertisementAirlines are testing new technology that shaves minutes off turnaround procedures as a cost-cutting measure.
U.S. airlines are making changes to reduce taxiing times and manage gate assignments more effectively.
This is good news for airlines who can save money, but it’s also good news for travelers who can potentially experience fewer delays.
Let’s take a look at how air travel will become more efficient in the future.
Airlines aim to make flights more efficient
Saving just a few minutes from flight time may seem trivial on paper, but it can translate into significant savings for airlines.
It also means better service to travelers. Arriving a few minutes early can be the difference between catching your connection and missing it.
It also reduces the domino effect. delayThis means your entire flight is more likely to arrive on time.
London pilots AI to improve airport capacity
London Heathrow Airport is currently AI technology To improve traffic management.
The system will help the airport recover 20 percent of its capacity lost due to low cloud cover and reduced visibility from the control tower.
Heathrow Airport hopes to minimize flight delays by using ultra-high definition cameras, advanced AI and machine learning technology to replace human controllers when weather conditions reduce visibility. I am.
This allows the runway to be cleaned more efficiently and allows the next flight to arrive or take off on time.
This technique is also used in Eindhoven. Schiphol and Berlin Brandenburg Airport.
US airlines deploy time-saving technology
Major U.S. carriers will continue to trial new procedures during the notoriously chaotic holiday shopping season.
Last year, air travel suffered severe disruption, including: Thousands of travelers are stranded at airports.
American Airlines has already introduced new technology to allocate gates at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, the world’s second-busiest airport.
Automated systems reduce the chances of planes being forced to cross from one side of a vast airport to the other.
As a result, we saved an average of 2 minutes of taxi time per flight and 11 hours per day. career.
For passengers, it also meant a 50% reduction in gate changes and fewer passengers. delay.
advertisement“If you try to change the gate just before the plane arrives, […] You can get out of sync with your caterers and your fuel suppliers,” American COO David Seymour told CNBC. This causes delays in parking and departure.
The program, called the Smart Gating Program, also operates at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, Miami International Airport, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport.
This year the United States ranked third among major Americans. Airlines On-time arrival rate rose from fifth place in the same period in 2022.
Airlines are testing faster boarding technology
Airlines are also aiming to shorten flight times by speeding up boarding procedures.
United Airlines has introduced a new system in economy class. window seat passenger Board first, then the middle seat, then the aisle seat.
advertisement“By dispersing people along the aisle of the plane, more people can sit in their seats.” luggage leave at the same time. That’s the main reason it speeds up the boarding process,” explains Jason Steffen, associate professor of physics at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
The airline says the technology can save up to two minutes per flight.
Southwest Airlines has trialled ways to speed up boarding with clearer signage and music on flying bridges to help passengers move more quickly.
Low-cost carrier Frontier Airlines avoids the bridge entirely by disembarking via stairs, allowing the plane to use two doors instead of one.
This results in Airlines CEO Barry Biffle said it can take up to 10 minutes.
advertisementThese time-saving techniques mean more planes will become available and more flights may be added.
