Technology never stands still - especially in the aviation sector

With the latest technology, we ensure satisfaction throughout the entire flight process: for our passengers and the cabin and cockpit crew. We support our flight dispatchers with an advanced planning system and measure how many meals are taken on board. With the help of optimizers, we also know exactly what the best flight route is and how we can use as little fuel as possible. This is how we ensure an optimal flight experience for everyone.

Five hundred cans of Cola

For two years, Sarah has been working as Director of Technology at the Flight business platform. There, she is responsible for the technology on the flight. "In short, we develop IT solutions for everything that happens on board - the flight routes, the amount of fuel, and the roster of the cabin and cockpit crew. We also facilitate the communication of aircraft data to satellites and the ground. With our innovative systems, we also support the catering process: for example, we predict how much water, cola, and meals need to be taken on a flight."

Satisfied personnel

Currently, Sarah is busy with the Enable Digital Transformation Program. She explains: "We are renewing our technology and data landscape. For example, we want to switch to crew-based rostering. This means that the wishes of the crew are central when we make rosters. This is naturally very complex because we have to take many factors into account. Not only availability but also preferred destinations. We use SaaS technology combined with all kinds of advanced optimization tools for this." Why is KLM taking this step?

Another way to keep the cabin and cockpit crew satisfied is to offer them the best digital support. "Cabin attendants and pilots now use about fifty different 'digital touchpoints' such as apps and websites," says Sarah. "Soon there will be far fewer. This way, they can find all the important information - for example, about their roster, next destination, or any service changes - much more easily. In this way, we improve the user experience."

Technology for better flights

"We have also implemented a new planning system - Integrated Flight Support (IFS) - which supports our dispatchers," Sarah continues. "For example, they draw up the flight plans, determine the route, keep in touch with the cockpit, and monitor the flight. We used an older version of the same system first, but it was not in the cloud. As a result, we were responsible for the maintenance ourselves - for example, we had to perform updates and security patches ourselves. That costs time and is expensive. With our new IFS, we are much more efficient, and we reduce the workload of the dispatchers."

Not only the crew, but also the passengers must of course have a pleasant flight. That is why the optimization of catering is an important part of the Enable Digital Transformation Program. "We will soon be making buy on board possible. Passengers can then buy sandwiches and snacks in addition to the fixed meals. We are now doing test flights and have two technical challenges to deal with. First, we want passengers to be able to pay even if the Wi-Fi is not working. Secondly, we want to be able to offer personalized catering."

The role of data and AI

Sarah continues: "We work with optimizers: systems that use algorithms to make decisions and make a flight as efficient as possible. They make complex calculations and continuously analyze various parameters - such as fuel consumption, weather conditions, air traffic, and aircraft performance. For example, the optimizer calculates which flight route is the most fuel-efficient, or what the optimal flight altitude and speed is based on wind and weather."

Data plays a major role within the Flight business platform. "We collect and share more and more data on a Data Market Place, which everyone within the organization can easily access. This data is reliable and of high quality, so colleagues can rely on it for their own projects. In this way, we are building an extensive internal database together."

Safety above all

Why is it crucial to keep developing, according to Sarah?

Sarah emphasizes that aviation is a dynamic sector. "Safety always remains our top priority, and we are constantly working to improve the flight experience of passengers. In addition, we must strengthen our technological landscape to meet complex challenges."