Emily Tan on airports gearing up for travel boom

Key Concepts

• Digitalization and technology in airport operations
• Seamless travel experience
• Biometrics for passenger processing
• Advanced security screening
• Air traffic management (ATM) optimization
• Fuel efficiency and carbon reduction
• AI and data-driven airport management
• Cybersecurity in aviation
• Digital twin technology for ATM
• Continuous Descent Operation (CDO)

Technological Changes in Airport Operations

Emily Tan, CEO and Country Director at Thales Singapore, discusses the technological changes expected in airport operations in the Asia-Pacific region over the next decade. She categorizes these technologies into two main areas: moving people and moving airplanes.

Moving People

• Seamless Travel: The goal is to create a seamless travel experience, reducing congestion and wait times at airports.
• Biometric Technology: Thales is developing "flight to gate" technology using facial recognition as a boarding pass. This allows passengers to use their face for check-in, immigration, boarding, and even duty-free purchases. Immigration systems are also improving with biometrics for entry and clearance.
• Advanced Security: Innovations in security include using medical technology in x-ray machines, eliminating the need to remove laptops and liquids.

Moving Airplanes

• Optimized Airport Operations: Airport operations are complex, involving multiple vendors for refueling, cleaning, and passenger handling.
• Air Traffic Management (ATM): With increasing air traffic, ATM technologies are crucial for optimizing airspace, enabling smooth landings, reducing fuel consumption, and minimizing carbon emissions.

Benefits of Technological Innovation

• Efficiency and Cost Reduction: Technology aims to optimize operations, making them more efficient and potentially lowering costs. For example, smooth flight trajectories reduce fuel consumption.
• Environmental Impact: Technologies like optimized ATM contribute to reducing carbon emissions.
• Passenger Experience: Seamless travel and reduced wait times enhance the overall passenger experience.

Manpower and AI

• Managing Passenger Growth: Technology can help airports manage increasing passenger volumes without proportionally increasing staff.
• AI-Driven Optimization: AI and data analysis can optimize operations, reduce manual work, and allow airport staff to focus on higher-value tasks.
• Changi Terminal 5: The upcoming Changi Terminal 5, with a capacity for 50 million more passengers, will rely on technology to manage operations efficiently.

Asia-Pacific's Leading Role

• Regional Growth: The Asia-Pacific region is leading in reshaping global airport operations, accounting for 60% of airport projects.
• Tourism and Diversity: The region's diverse culture, languages, and scenery attract tourists, driving air traffic growth.
• Investment in Aviation: Thales is investing more in Singapore due to the growing trend in Asia, focusing on avionics, ATM, and R&D.

Cybersecurity Concerns

• Trust in Technology: As technology becomes more pervasive, trust in its reliability and safety is crucial, especially in areas like ATM and avionics.
• Cybersecurity Threats: The aviation industry faces increasing cybersecurity threats, with airlines being targeted by hackers.
• Investment in Cybersecurity: Thales is investing heavily in cybersecurity, with over 130 cybersecurity professionals in Singapore, to ensure the security of its products and solutions.

Air Traffic Control Technology

• Advanced ATM: Technology can enhance air traffic control by enabling greater capacity in the airspace.
• Open ATM Systems: Open ATM systems allow for continuous development and innovation.
• Digital Twin Technology: Thales and the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) have a joint air lab in Singapore, innovating on technologies like a digital twin of the ATM system.
• Continuous Descent Operation (CDO): The air lab is testing technologies like CDO, which allows aircraft to descend smoothly, reducing fuel consumption and carbon footprint. The digital twin allows for testing these ideas without interfering with the main system.

Conclusion

The aviation industry is undergoing significant transformation through digitalization and technological innovation. The Asia-Pacific region is at the forefront of this change, driven by tourism growth and the need for efficient and sustainable airport operations. Key areas of focus include seamless passenger experiences, optimized air traffic management, and robust cybersecurity measures. Technologies like biometrics, AI, and digital twins are playing a crucial role in shaping the future of air travel.