Back to Air Transport IT Review - Issue 2, September 2009

Air Transport IT Summit: a force for change

A force for change

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This year's Air Transport IT Summit attracted around 300 delegates from across the world, including air transport CIOs, senior management and press. In this issue of Air Transport IT Review we cover many of the topics addressed at the Summit, including the results of the Airline IT Trends Survey 2009.

Now in its ninth year, the Summit has become the leading forum for air transport IT leaders to discuss the issues facing their industry and the role of IT in helping to address challenges and opportunities.

With the strongest ever speaker line up, the event this year focused on the theme "IT - a force for change," with keynote speaker Willie Walsh, CEO of BA, setting the scene. He talked about 'the most challenging time the industry has ever faced,' while citing the importance of technology in focusing on 'customers, costs and continuity of service'.

Speakers considered the role of IT in the face of economic downturn as well as in the longer term, as IT enables new ways of working, greater efficiencies and improvements to travel.

The importance of IT to passengers - whose journey today starts and ends with IT - was underlined by all speakers. The Internet, social media, mobile devices, and other disruptive technologies were discussed throughout the event as they become increasingly vital to the industry's future, offering the ability to improve revenues, deliver customer service, maintain reputation and enhance operations - for both airlines and airports.

Pulling together some of the key themes, SITA Chair and BA CIO Paul Coby said that mobility was certain to revolutionize interactions between passengers, airlines, airports and other stakeholders; while Web 2.0 is a technology to continue to watch closely, as it changes social and business interactions.

One other certainty, he said, was that IT is seen by all industry stakeholders as a way to reduce costs while also bringing about necessary change - driving simplification, better processes and the ability to get closer to customers.

For information on the Summit and its speakers go to http://www.sita.aero/content/air-transport-it-summit-2009. The event, held in July this year, is hosted by SITA in partnership with Airline Business.

Delivering the digital future

"This industry is in survival mode! It means that service providers need to understand, more than ever before, how we can help recovery and help prepare for the future." So said SITA CEO Francesco Violante in his speech at the 2009 Air Transport Industry IT Summit.

"In the past, technology has proved to be a critical tool for recovery, but in today's crisis, IT must be a weapon in the survival toolkit," he said.

"IT systems are already the backbone of the industry's business activity - supporting mission-critical operations. But the future business requirements of our industry will make us even more dependent."

Not distant scenarios!

Describing a "digital future where web and wireless technologies converge to provide an any time, anywhere environment," he set out scenarios for the digital passenger, the digital airport and the digital aircraft.

He continued: "These are not distant scenarios! A lower cost, 'always-on' environment is just around the corner... service providers are the key to delivering this digital future at a cost point that this industry can afford.

"But this means that the air transport industry's service providers must have a community 'mindset', with a focus on innovation and quality of service." It also means that "continuous service availability" and "zero downtime" must be the ultimate goals, he said.

Gaining industry insights

As part of the Air Transport IT Summit delegates can attend a series of Industry Insight sessions the day before the Summit plenary. Featuring expert speakers from across the industry, this year's sessions were fully subscribed. This issue of Air Transport IT Review includes features on the range of Industry Insight topics.

A carbon neutral air transport industry

IT is poised to make an impact in the critical area of the environment. But how? What answers can IT offer to environmental questions of the day?

Mobile enablement - improving business efficiency by empowering airport workforces

Mobility is rapidly moving from hype to reality as mobile technologies are poised to make a dramatic impact on the air transport industry, radically transforming working practices.

The connected aircraft - an onboard paradigm shift for passenger services and operational efficiency

With aircraft now connected to the ground during flights via broadband IP, what onboard opportunities are there for passengers and cabin crew? And how can ground operations benefit?

The role of IT in managing the valued customer relationship

Faced with increasing commoditization of air transportation and severe challenges within the market environment, how can airlines reinforce the relationship with their most valued customers to ensure repeat business?

Fast Travel - enhancing the passenger experience with technology

How can the innovative use of IT deliver better passenger processing and services, yet at the same time save the industry money? And what are the technologies that will make a difference?

Border management - using latest technologies for safer and more convenient travel

What role might IT play in ensuring we efficiently meet the needs for tighter border management? How can airlines best meet evolving border management regulations?