Use of Big Data in the Airline Industry
by Yudem Elif İnel
“Information” is one of the most crucial factors shaping competition among businesses. The increasing innovations in digital technologies have led to different approaches in processing information. The cumulative growth of information and its continuous production from various sources have given rise to the concept of “Big Data.” Many industrial fields contribute to big data by generating new data or digitizing existing ones. In this way, the value of a business is created together with the customer and the business itself. It helps businesses analyze customer behavior, make comparisons, and make accurate decisions. In other words, it shifts the focus from business-oriented strategies to customer-oriented strategies. Since it is entirely based on the analysis of real data, it can transform information into useful tools such as developing products that meet customer demands, selecting advertising channels, and reducing labor costs. For example, being able to monitor the real-time locations and statuses of all aircraft in an airline’s fleet and track their maintenance history retrospectively is highly important for the aviation industry. Given this, the absence of big data in the aviation sector is inconceivable. This is because big data has real-time impacts on decision-making processes and remains constantly accessible.
The aviation industry continues to evolve daily by adapting to technological advancements in line with ongoing innovations. However, the adoption of new technologies inevitably brings new risks. This is precisely where Big Data plays a crucial role in the airline industry, enabling a clearer identification of problems, facilitating strategic decision-making, and enhancing customer satisfaction.
Big Data can be utilized in various fundamental aspects of the aviation industry, including identity verification, ticket reservations, aircraft maintenance, and loyalty programs. For instance, it allows for the introduction of new routes based on passenger density and the identification of the busiest areas in airports to enhance technological infrastructure in those sections. Additionally, it enables the categorization of arriving passengers and the creation of travel maps, helping to determine and strategically place essential products at key points along their airport journey.
From another perspective, cookies play a crucial role in minimizing errors and enhancing customer satisfaction in airline loyalty programs. By leveraging cookies, airlines can create customer personas, personalize applications, and offer products tailored to individual preferences.
Considering all these factors, it is evident that big data contributes to the development and implementation of strategies and systems that address the needs of both businesses and customers. In the aviation industry, pure, reliable, and sufficient information can significantly enhance efficiency for all stakeholders. Moreover, the data collected is not merely numerical; when utilized effectively, it can yield substantial social and economic benefits. However, as big data centralizes information processing and monopolizes knowledge, it also raises significant security concerns. Consequently, big data imposes strict legal responsibilities on data collectors in terms of privacy, security, and discrimination. In cases of data breaches or misuse, severe penalties are enforced to prevent exploitation and ensure compliance with data protection regulations.
References
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Makers Turkiye, Büyük Veri (Big Data) Nedir?
Havacılık ve Büyük Veri, Arzu ÇUBUKÇU, 2021
Pictures: pmi.org, rishworthaviation.com, frost.com, pexels.com
