The pandemic’s impact on the aviation industry has been seismic – but not terminal. With turnaround promises expected to exceed pre-COVID levels by mid-decade, the ground handling industry cannot afford to return to pre-pandemic norms. Right now, with airports well decongested, is the time to get ahead of trends that can shape the coming decade. Christopher Brown, our Head of Strategy, outlines how airlines and airports should start planning now.
COVID-19 may have pushed the Fourth Industrial Revolution out of the headlines, but it has not stopped it. Ground handling can expect to see significant disruption in the coming decade from technologies such as: AI, Big data, IoT, EV and AV, Synthetic and hydrogen fuels and VTOL.
The ground handling ecosystem will need to evolve rapidly in response to these technologies and others. Players looking to thrive in the post-COVID normal need to assess now both the threats and opportunities presented for their long-term strategy.
