By Parker Davis
Emerging Trends In The Aviation Industry
The COVID-19 pandemic triggered a surge of technological advancement in the aviation industries and other sectors. Given that air travel was affected in the previous year, it becomes essential to revive the industry to ensure passenger safety. For this reason, many airlines have adopted innovative technology to maximize comfort and improve the travel experience. That said, here are some emerging trends in the aviation industry.
The Move Towards Sustainability
(Photo: Pixabay)
Despite the negative impact of the pandemic, the world experienced a decline in pollution. Having fewer aircraft in the sky has reduced the carbon in the atmosphere, leading to a cleaner air supply. Moreover, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) predicts that air travel numbers could double by 2038, affecting the environment if steps are not taken to reduce the carbon footprints aircraft leave behind. Therefore, the aviation industry has seen the need for an eco-friendlier approach to air travel.
Although leveraging sustainable approaches may require extensive research and development, its outcome benefits the world for a long time. Fortunately, original equipment manufacturers create more fuel-efficient aircraft frames, leveraging lighter materials, aerodynamic design changes, and alternative fuel sources such as biofuels. Furthermore, air and ground traffic management adopt human and artificial intelligence and electrically-powered equipment to promote sustainability.
Cryptocurrency as a Payment Option
Many industries are adopting cryptocurrency as an alternative payment option. Although it is not yet prominent in the aviation sector, bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies show tremendous potential. Fortunately, the industry loves innovative technology and will adopt those that show great promise. Moreover, leveraging this innovative payment option will make flight bookings easier for air travelers. Additionally, cryptocurrency payments are faster and incur fewer transaction costs as compared to credit card payments.
Besides, its digital nature will work well with the industry’s objectives of providing digital technology for passengers before, during, and after the journey. Therefore, digital payment is in order, as many airlines have already introduced digital check-in options, tickets, and flight management. What’s more, airlines like PrivateFly and airBaltic have already embraced cryptocurrency as a payment option. Fortunately, passengers can learn more about it to make their travel experience less stressful.
Digital Vaccination Visas and Health Passports
(Photo: Pixabay)
While health and immunity passports aren’t new to travelers, various initiatives have been adopted to create digital health passports in the world. The CommonPass project was established in 2019 after a partnership between the Common Project, a coalition of private and public partners, and the World Economic Forum. This platform verifies vaccination records and lab results by encouraging passengers to upload their results to their mobile phones. Moreover, the IATA has released the Travel Pass app to help passengers convey their test results to borderline authorities and airlines. It also allows governments to verify the genuineness of vaccination proofs and passengers’ identities.
Furthermore, the European Union has introduced digital COVID-19 certificates to facilitate free and safe movements amid the pandemic. Therefore, passengers who wish to skip quarantine must obtain this digital health passport proof of their tests, vaccination, and recovery.
Many innovative trends are expected to develop as technological advancement increases. Therefore, you can look out for more procedures to make air travels less stressful and more enjoyable.
Parker joined AirlineGeeks as a writer and photographer in 2016, combining his longtime love for aviation with a newfound passion for journalism. Since then, he’s worked as a Senior Writer before becoming Editor-in-Chief of the site in 2020. Originally from Dallas and an American frequent flyer, he left behind the city’s rich aviation history to attend college in North Carolina, where he’s studying economics.