The aviation industry has always been at the forefront of technological advancements. Today, airport technology is no exception. As air travel becomes more integrated with technological innovations, companies developing airport technology face unique challenges. However, these challenges also present unparalleled opportunities for growth, efficiency, and improvement.
The Modern Aviation Tech Landscape
Airports today are more than just transit hubs. They’re becoming full-service “smart” airports focusing on enhancing the passenger experience, streamlining operations, and ensuring security. Tech teams skilled in both airport technology and commercial areas have become invaluable assets to these evolving ecosystems. However, integrating the diverse facets of technology, operations, and commercial aspects has certain challenges. Airports are made up of many different stakeholders, including airlines, different government agencies, concessionaires, security (public and private), baggage and ground handling, and others – a highly diverse set of companies that provide airport and airline services.
Key Challenges Faced By Airport Tech Developers
- Data: In the past, our challenge was to obtain data and to identify where and how we could get it. Today, thanks mainly to the new technologies that have become available in recent years, our challenge has shifted to getting clean data and how to use the data (that comes from different sources) in an effective way. As the demand for integrated airport technology grows, many companies face sudden workload spikes that can overload even the most competent teams.
- Talent Shortages: A specialized area like airport technology often faces a lack of skilled technology professionals. In aviation and related areas, domain experience is highly valued, and that experience – both airport technology and domain knowledge is in short supply.
- Skillset Mismatch: With the rapid evolution of the new technology, there’s often a disparity between current skill sets and project requirements.
- Cloud Optimization and Transition: Many airport tech solutions are now leveraging the scalability and flexibility of the cloud. However, the transition to and optimization for platforms like AWS or Azure can present a steep learning curve – and a mindset change. In many cases, it has been a slow adoption process, with decisions on many legacy systems to be made to re-platform, refactor, replace, and rebuild, complicating the process.
- Aging Infrastructure: Legacy systems in airport tech can hinder innovation. Keeping up with the competition means continuously innovating and staying ahead of technological trends. However, decision-making processes can be slow – and managing stakeholder expectations, risks, and changing requirements adds to that challenge.
Addressing These Challenges Head-On
Facing challenges is inherent in growth, but the real winners are those who can pivot and adapt. For airport tech developers, this means seeking solutions that aren’t just about patching up problems but optimizing for the future.
- Harnessing External Expertise: Bringing in external teams skilled in both airport technology and operational/commercial domain experience can be a game-changer. These professionals bring a fresh perspective, reducing the strain on in-house teams and helping ensure that projects remain on track.
- Leveraging Cloud Potential: Transitioning to the cloud or optimizing existing cloud strategies is crucial. It’s not enough to be on the cloud; companies need to be cloud-optimized. This optimization translates to faster development, heightened security, and improved availability, all pivotal in the dynamic world of airport technology.
- Embracing DevSecOps: As airport tech integrates more deeply with digital platforms, security becomes paramount. Transitioning from traditional DevOps to DevSecOps ensures that security is woven into the development process, mitigating risks early on and helping to alleviate perceived security concerns in the cloud.
- Skillset Enhancement: Continuous training and development are essential. For areas where in-house teams might lack expertise, collaborations with specialized agencies can bridge the gap.
- Adopting a Proactive Approach: Reactive measures can be costly and inefficient. Adopting a proactive approach, like getting a comprehensive assessment of current strategies or conducting regular audits, can highlight potential issues before they escalate.
Conclusion
Airport technology’s landscape is dynamic, presenting both challenges and opportunities. For companies developing in this space, adapting to these changes requires agility, foresight, and, sometimes, external assistance. The future of aviation is exciting, and with the right strategies, airport tech developers can not only address current challenges but also pave the way for future innovations. Whether it’s optimizing cloud strategies, harnessing the potential of DevSecOps, or simply enhancing in-house skillsets, there is great potential in creating a data-driven airport environment that benefits all stakeholders.
For those resonating with these challenges and seeking innovative solutions, it’s time to explore collaborations that can elevate your airport tech game. The future is now, and the runway is clear for takeoff.
A Word From Dennis Bruce
Having been an Airport IT Executive and collaborating with each Airport IT Systems Integrator, I’ve seen firsthand what a lack of data causes for an airport …first of all, anxiety!
Practically speaking, today, that problem is being solved due to the numerous new and innovative airport technology solutions now available. The problem we see is how these sometimes diverse technology solutions fit together (or if they can).
Clean data available in real-time is the key. Many times, this requires the integration of different systems – and some of those may not be under the airport authority’s control. A strong combination of understanding the airport domain, together with the knowledge of the airport technology environment, can help create a quantum leap in being a smart, truly data-driven environment.
