1. Introduction
The aviation industry has complex operations from all other sectors. It needs a lot of space in the database to store every single data of its customers, their preferences, and others to meet their customers’ expectations. Blockchain technology helps aviation to increase its operational efficiency and transparency with its decentralized digital ledger. This article showcases the top 10 uses of blockchain in aviation.
The aviation industry will run successfully with the help of more than 26 business partners. It has to monitor and maintain records of customers from their online search for air tickets until their customers reach their destination. The aviation industry cannot handle customer data and ticketing effectively because there will be many flights, and sometimes, it becomes hectic for the organizations to maintain and regulate the airlines. Their maintenance cost becomes higher due to poor maintenance of the data and tickets.
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2. Blockchain
The Blockchain will store the data in a digital ledger in a decentralized way that can be accessed by the MRO and OEM teams to store flight tickets and records and maintain the status of airlines effectively. It can also be used in the registration department to store details of spare parts, their serial codes and manufacturing dates. These records help the technical staff to know what parts have expired or need maintenance or repair.
In Blockchain, the aviation industry can also store data related to booking, limited tickets, hotels, immigration details and other important information. All information is stored in the Blockchain and is secured using cryptography techniques. Blockchain makes information access easy and effective. It also helps aviation management to make effective decisions related to airlines and problems that might occur due to bad weather conditions.
3. Top 10 Uses Of Blockchain In The Aviation Industry
3.1. Identity Management
The passengers’ identities are stored in the Blockchain to reduce the threat to identity. Many times passengers travel with the wrong identity, which leads to aircraft hijacking and terrorist attacks. These can be reduced by using Blockchain, in which the details of passengers are stored and authenticated using biometric verifications. It also eliminates paperwork and mistakes of employees.
Airlines also store information about their staff and pilots in the blockchain ledger to manage staff allocation effectively and assign duties to pilots according to their experiences and capabilities. For example, Aeron is using Blockchain to provide pilot flight logs. It helps to hire licensed pilots and deal with other aviation industries securely.
3.2. Ticketing
Currently, airlines are giving online tickets or paper-based tickets, which have their disadvantages. To reduce this, Blockchain can be used to generate tickets in the form of tokenisation. With this, users can buy tickets online from any online ticketing platform easily and securely. Moreover, it helps to reduce the overbooking of tickets through smart contracts without the need for a middleman. It ensures security for both passengers and airlines.
3.3. Security
Passengers share their details with airlines to generate tickets during the immigration process. Security of this information is very important for aviation industries because it will lead to attacks and identity theft. Using Blockchain will reduce these security risks as all the data are secured using cryptography methods. Aeron is the most successful company that is using Blockchain.
Travel Block is also using Blockchain technology to provide cost-saving services to consumers and ensure the security of their data. SITA Flight Chain has many airlines and airport partners and stores the information securely related to maintenance and flight information using Blockchain. It also created a secure partnership with international airports with the help of smart contracts.
3.4. Loyalty Points
The loyalty points will introduce different schemes for loyal customers with the help of Blockchain because it will save time for users and make the payment affect through any community. It will help the industry to retain business and make a fair allocation of rewards. Maintaining customer records securely is the key to increasing customer satisfaction. It helps airlines reward and attract customers, thereby increasing the revenue of the industry.
3.5. Maintenance
Maintenance of airlines requires storing information about manufacturing industries, airlines, and service providers. These databases need more attention, otherwise errors will occur. With the help of Blockchain, the aviation industry can store maintenance data in one database that can be accessible to all parties. This will ensure that maintenance and repair are done at the required time and ensure the safety of passengers and staff.
3.6. Tracking Goods
The airline cargo supply chain is a network that consists of numerous suppliers that need transparency in delivering high-value cargo. Blockchain enables to maintain of transparency and accountability in procurement processes by maintaining real-time tracking of goods.
3.7. Crew Training And Certification
Using blockchain, airlines can efficiently handle the training and certification of their crew members. They can ensure their staff are up to date on every requirement and manage working hours and deployment.
3.8. Environmental Initiative
Blockchain helps the aviation industry to reduce its carbon footprint by tokenizing the credits on carbon emissions throughout the supply chain to maintain transparent records on sustainability. It helps to adopt renewable energy sources to minimise energy consumption and waste. Blockchain helps to be eco-friendly through the supply chain in the industry.
3.9. Secure Payments
Blockchain allows organisations to provide secure payment gateways to their customers using cross-border payment methods. It reduces the need for intermediaries in the payment gateway, thereby reducing the additional charges or fees. Blockchain is helpful in the case of international booking where there is a need for currency exchange.
3.10. Luggage Tracking
Blockchain ledger consists of all the details of luggage history from location to handling in different destinations that would help airlines to reduce the lost baggage problems that often occur in the industry. Crew members can easily track the luggage and reduce customer frustration using the ledger.
4. Conclusion
Blockchain can also be used in the decision-making process for passenger entertainment purposes and other related works of airlines. Blockchain in the aviation industry will help to reduce the cost of maintenance repair, increase the security of data and ensure safe travels. However, Blockchain has some limitations, such as it needs governance and operational insights to maintain the integrity of Blockchain, central leadership, and the network must be controlled to make fast decisions. These limitations give rise to conflicts between the parties.