Technology, efficiency, and sustainability: air transport accelerates its transformation
With record investments in digital innovation and increasing pressure on airport infrastructure, the airline industry is entering a new phase of modernization aimed at improving the passenger experience, optimizing operations, and reducing its environmental impact
The airline industry is experiencing a period of profound transformation. In a context where passenger traffic growth exceeds 7% annually and regulatory demands are intensifying, airlines, airports, and governments are accelerating their investment in technology. In 2024 alone, global investment in innovation for air transport reached $37 billion, marking a turning point in the modernization of the aeronautical ecosystem.
Efforts are focused on intelligent systems, more agile operations, frictionless processes, and solutions that allow for scaling without compromising service quality. From artificial intelligence applied to passenger flow to predictive analytics tools to improve punctuality, the industry is committed to a more connected, flexible, and sustainable infrastructure.
In this context, the global company SITA presented its Group Impact Report 2024, which offers a detailed look at how these technologies are already transforming the way airports, airlines, and governments operate. The company reported 8.3% revenue growth over the past year, driven by developments in automation, self-service, and efficient resource management.
The report highlights, for example, the incorporation of solutions that optimize fuel consumption and reduce emissions. In 2024, more than 40 airlines used tools such as OptiFlight® and Eco Mission, achieving an estimated reduction of 308,000 tons of CO₂, the equivalent of more than 1,000 trips around the world by commercial aircraft. These initiatives demonstrate how technology not only improves operations but also enables progress on concrete sustainability commitments.
In addition, trends such as the intelligent redesign of terminals, the digitalization of border controls, and the expansion of automated check-in and boarding services are evident. Strategic acquisitions of companies specializing in self-service and airport design also reflect a clear commitment to building more future-proof infrastructure.
The transformation is also internal. Many companies in the sector are reorganizing their service models, incorporating new technological talent, and redefining processes to adapt more quickly to a changing environment. Technologies such as the cloud, real-time data, and digital identities are becoming established as pillars for a fluid, passenger-centric operation.
Air travel is no longer just a means of connection: it is becoming a cutting-edge, efficient, and environmentally responsible technological experience. The advances being implemented on a large scale today are paving the way toward a smarter and more sustainable air mobility model.
Source: SITA.