The origin of the autopilot

Today we talk about an aircraft’s autopilot very naturally, and we think of this technology as being an intrinsic part of the aircraft. This is actually very nearly the case, especially as it is over a century since the innovation was first used. In essence, an “autopilot” is a system that allows the trajectory of a vehicle to be controlled autonomously, without the presence of a human being.

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Emergent Space Technologies, Inc.

Emergent Space Technologies, Inc. provides consulting and engineering services to the civil, commercial, and military space industry around our core competencies of spacecraft guidance, navigation and control, satellite ground systems, and space mission automation. Our domain expertise and experience, combined with our knowledge of current and emerging technology, make Emergent the small business team of choice in the aerospace industry.

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Design and Engineering

What are the Areas the Blockchain Technology is Making a Difference in Aviation?

Article | January 7, 2022

Blockchain's abilities and features such as security, transparency, and centralizing systems can help aerospace companies reduce maintenance costs, minimize errors in aircraft parts and increase aircraft availability. Blockchain technology has been valuable to one of the world's most complex and globally interconnected industries—the aviation industry. The technology can deliver ultimate benefits for thousands of suppliers, mainly involved in manufacturing an aircraft. Aviation business leaders know that they need to adapt and innovate to survive. And blockchain in the aviation industry is one growing area of innovation that is yet to be explored. However, experts agree that aircraft maintenance and operations innovation will enable aviation companies to improve their efficiency. In this way, the technology will enhance performance and safety notions to the next level. "We believe blockchain is significant in the aviation industry. Its probabilities promise to stimulate efficiency in the industry through maintenance process in general." - Scott Thompson, the aerospace and defense leader at PwC. Blockchain: A Technology of Trust According to IATA's study in "Future of the Airline Industry 2035," blockchain study has been identified as one of the technologies that may significantly impact the future of aviation. It also states that demand for new commercial aircraft may reach nearly 40,000 planes over the next 20 years! Looking at the demand scale, the companies that manufacture, provide services and operate aircraft mostly seek out AI, 3D printing, and blockchain technology. They would allow airline businesses to optimize performance. "Blockchain is a lot about trust in the context of aviation, but the trust comes with huge costing." - Scott Thompson To him, blockchain for the aviation industry is like medicine. Through blockchain tools, the more data you have on every aircraft part, the better you can predict the parts' performance, longevity, abilities, and performance. Thus, the potential of predictive analytics will increase. With blockchain, you have a snapshot of every part of the aircraft and know the parts' history. Moreover, the decentralized nature of blockchain made the maintenance process flawless, with all data being analyzed at the same time. So, what areas can benefit from the blockchain and make a difference in aviation? First, let's highlight the part. Blockchain Technology: Making a Difference The Role of Blockchain in the Supply Chain The supply chain in the aviation industry is looking promising for collaborations to happen in the supply chain. Blockchain will bring revolution in the long term to connect many loose ends in the supply chain ecosystem. The technology offers a prominent way to track data and provide consistent aircraft configuration data across the supply chain. So, by knowing the absolute configuration of an aircraft part, blockchain solution empowers airlines and defense companies to share and authenticate data securely. Blockchain in Aircraft Parts Tracing Blockchain also plays a vital part in transforming maintenance logs and tracing aircraft parts. With the help of blockchain technology, you can ensure that parts being produced are authentic and meet the necessary airworthiness requirements. For example, a blockchain application named Enspan, formerly known as Parts Pedigree, is pioneering. It could offer a more efficient approach to documenting an asset's lifecycle. At the same time, with the help of blockchain applications, airlines would be able to sell and purchase parts with confidence. The only consideration is the documentation should be accurate and comply with all maintenance regulations. Blockchain Applications in Loyalty Programs Blockchain in the aviation industry can automate loyalty program transactions and security. It is relevant today as more and more airline companies are issuing credit cards, rental cars for accommodation, membership cards, and more like these. By creating a standard digital currency like tokens using the blockchain, travelers can access instant value for flights on the spot. On the other hand, airline executives get a transparent understanding of how the revenue generates from reward programs. For example, companies like Loyyal have already leveraged the benefits of blockchain to create digital wallets. These wallets will let customers store their reward tokens. Deloitte mentions that blockchain for the aviation industry could be a game-changer in this field. This is because intelligent contacts can automate transactions through the blockchain, even in the supply chain. Blockchain In Enhancing Security Measures Blockchain technology, along with encryption, offers aviation an outstanding security blanket. As digitalization is speeding up, the need to have extra security layers for users is more critical than ever. So, for optimum security measures, blockchain employs cryptography that serves as a firewall against online threats and attacks. Any part of the information on the blockchain is stored cryptographically in secrecy. Do you remember Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 that vanished in March 2014? The case was the biggest mystery in the aviation industry. There was no information on the flight's disappearance. Millions of dollars were spent trying to uncover the mysterious reason behind Malaysia Airlines Flight 370's disappearance. The event is a clear example of why there is a need for a more robust storage mechanism. Blockchain usage in security measures is a priority to tackle such incidents in the future. In emergencies, information regarding flight routes, in-flight operations, location tracking, passenger data, and documents can be easily detected. Flight-related data on a blockchain backup record adds an extra layer of protection in today's time amid centralized systems. However, it is all being done to ensure that all the processes remain transparent and effective. Blockchain for Aircraft Maintenance A commercial aircraft’s average lifetime remains up to 30 years. So, it's a laborious process to maintain documents associated with an aircraft. On this, says, "90% of entire maintenance records of an aircraft are paper-based documents. So there are millions of boxes." - John Maggiore of Boeing Understandably, such a system can have many drawbacks and lead to loss or fraud. For example, American Airlines in 2015 was proof of a fraud case in maintenance, which still can be an issue as senior aircraft have no chance of having a digital record. So, when looking at the role of blockchain in helping airline companies go digital, there are higher expectations for the technology to serve in this field. In addition, the tools associated with blockchain technology can maintain an immutable record of aircraft, benefiting stakeholders in the aviation leasing community. Furthermore, blockchain technology for the aviation industry can also speed up the release of an aircraft. It would be as simple as scanning a QR code on an engine to provide the entire history of the asset. Hence, there is no stopping here! For example, companies such as Boeing are examining more and more blockchain applications. Similarly, Airbus has also demonstrated an interest in how blockchain technology could be used in supply chain tracking. Therefore, by using blockchain to reinforce the Internet of Things, you can understand the potential of two crucial technologies working to work together to digitize and future proof airline processes. Finally, Blockchain is Gaining Traction in Aviation! The aviation industry operates under strict safety standards, regulations, and concerns. And the way it leads ultimately comes from the technologies it adopts (historical or present). For this reason, the bar of expectancy always remains high. On top of all, the pandemic has resulted in proving blockchain’s capabilities. Among most airline companies, Airbus is intensely learning about the potential of blockchain. In addition, several other airline companies have expressed their interest in bolstering blockchain technology. As mentioned above, Lufthansa, British Airways, and Air New Zealand have already implemented the technology in their various airline projects. Whereas Air France in 2020 announced that it is looking forward to using the technology to enhance its maintenance activities. The blockchain has already captured the needs of aviation businesses across the world. Still, the testing continues on the other side of the table. However, the providers of blockchain solutions are progressing rapidly. Frequently Asked Questions How is blockchain used in the aviation industry? Blockchain in the aviation industry is gaining high value. It showcases its capabilities in tracking the status and location of flights, detecting parts, passengers' data in detail, monitoring operations in-flight, and more. How can blockchain improve the aviation industry? Blockchain in aviation can bring in much-required shifts and alterations. Shifts like improving ground operations, getting transparency in processes, transactions, costs, and revenue, and provide layers of securities to essential assets.. Do airlines use blockchain? Airlines use blockchain technology to manage their take-offs and landing slots. The technology helps create cost-effective solutions to allow airlines to swap take-off slots and land more efficiently.e { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [{ "@type": "Question", "name": "How is blockchain used in the aviation industry?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Blockchain in the aviation industry is gaining high value. It showcases its capabilities in tracking the status and location of flights, detecting parts, passengers' data in detail, monitoring operations in-flight, and more." } },{ "@type": "Question", "name": "How can blockchain improve the aviation industry?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Blockchain in aviation can bring in much-required shifts and alterations. Shifts like improving ground operations, getting transparency in processes, transactions, costs, and revenue, and provide layers of securities to essential assets.." } },{ "@type": "Question", "name": "Do airlines use blockchain?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Airlines use blockchain technology to manage their take-offs and landing slots. The technology helps create cost-effective solutions to allow airlines to swap take-off slots and land more efficiently." } }] }

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Air Transport

5 Tech Strategies to Transform Aviation in the New Normal

Article | July 15, 2022

As 2021 is a few months away from its end and is the beginning of a new year, it is hopeful that it will bring more positiveness for airline businesses. But what the industry has ahead? How will the new landscape of technology strategies in airline businesses look? Or say, what will be the platforms for novel technology strategies in the aviation industry in the future? Let’s have a quick read in the next! What Airline Technology Strategies Will Look Like? As you know, the airline industry saw a lot of disruption in 2020. But the circumstance also paved the way for promising and powerful new technologies. Airline businesses are now turning the tech trends to their advantage. In this way, they can get a handful of opportunities to streamline operations. They could do this because the landscape of technologies is reshaping aviation. For example, IATA recently calculated that the airline's revenue worldwidewould be more than half of what it was in 2019. That means the industry will witness a massive change due to emerging tech stacks. Its rising importance is influencing market leaders to make more informed decisions today. This is why it is critical to imply technology strategies in your business. Thus, the focus is on the clients' strategic choices and investments. It will now depend on the implications of technology strategies. How will some of the applied proactive technologies in business processes look like in the new normal? This blog groups some of the newer technologies for the new normal in aviation. Explore them and take inspiration from the potential of technologies to revive your business and drive growth. 5 Tech Strategies to Reshape Airline Industry Machine Learning with AI Before the pandemic, the airline industry displayed an exceptional commitment to the potential of AI. Like, you must have seen the adoption of chatbots to communicate and other ways to improve operations. Now, the usage of AI is soared, and its application is more profitable than before. The platform analyses a faster deployment of millions of operational data. Mechanization Mechanization technology in the airline industry is gaining thrust. Due to the rapid developments and advancements, several airline businesses are implementing it. As tools are becoming smarter, businesses will soon have completely automated operations. Automation will ease all the workloads, reduce manual intervention and errors to a high accuracy rate. Real-Time Information Technology Real-time information technology is a significant technological aviation strategy. It has the potential of improving airlines’ operation efficiency with the help of customized software usage. Your business can drive growth by implementing custom software applications. But, as you know, to deliver customized and personalized solutions, it is essential to understand clients’ expectations and preferences. So, how is this technology going to take you through it? Let’s understand in the following ways: Personalized solution: Custom software applications are developed with the help of the updated information collected by knowing customer’s preferences. In this way, you can create personalized or customized solutions for your clients. Technical Excellence: Having an expert development team across all application stages is a plus in your business. The cutting-edge tools will benefit from fulfilling clients’ demands Higher business value realization: It's critical to properly align real-time information technology with your business processes. This will deliver solutions on time with the right approach to your client. This way, your business can generate higher value and build trust in long-term relationships with clients. Analytics Analytics is the most urgent technological need for airline businesses in the future. Aacquiringe accurate data, predicting losses, and evaluating clients’ needs will be the next transformational scenario in the airline industry. Implementing this technology will allow airlines to streamline their operations ahead of time. It will also help to take realistic measures to bring down losses that occurred due to the pandemic. Analytics are also effective in predicting and preparing for the results of business efforts. Data-backed analytics would provide insights to pinpoint geo-specific interventions to gain higher ROI. Agility The implementation of technology strategies has encouraged airline businesses to become agile. At the same time, some leading industry market players have now shifted their business to operate in agility. So, it's expected that this trend will continue beyond 2021. The aviation industry caters to a vast array of products and services. It works to deliver seamless operations and services. The adaptation of agility requires multiple systems to interact and exchange data. So, with the growing rate of partnerships, agility is the need of the hour. Today, in several airline businesses, teams work in separate locations. Being agile helps them to win adverse circumstances. It also builds the trust of audiences by keeping transparency in work and responding to queries faster. With this, the emerging technology is also expected to help track the progress of smaller efforts and proactively handle the metrics for projects coming in. In addition, the technology ensures that you can constantly inspect functions and deliver quality products or services. Lastly, since the budget is one of the top concerns of airline businesses, the development of agile technology strategies helps to keep a check on expenses. Therefore, by tracking the expenditure, it will be easier to plan future budgets adequately. Frequently Asked Questions What are other critical new technologies that will transform aviation? According to IATA’s report, the aviation industry will witness a drastic transformation. Some important new technologies such as cybersecurity, 3D printing in manufacturing, robotics, and biometrics will enter in the future. How has technology enhanced the aviation industry? Technology has enhanced aviation in manufacturing. New techniques have created new aircraft with improved fuel consumption and reduced environmental impact. In terms of operation, automation and AI are the new takeovers in aviation. Why is technological development important for aviation? Technological development is important to improve the efficiency of airline operations. The need for better connectivity, enhanced travel experience, reduced fuel costs, budget alignment, control over expenses has urged technology to step in. { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [{ "@type": "Question", "name": "What are other critical new technologies that will transform aviation?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "According to IATA’s report, the aviation industry will witness a drastic transformation. Some important new technologies such as cybersecurity, 3D printing in manufacturing, robotics, and biometrics will enter in the future." } },{ "@type": "Question", "name": "How has technology enhanced the aviation industry?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Technology has enhanced aviation in manufacturing. New techniques have created new aircraft with improved fuel consumption and reduced environmental impact. In terms of operation, automation and AI are the new takeovers in aviation." } },{ "@type": "Question", "name": "Why is technological development important for aviation?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Technological development is important to improve the efficiency of airline operations. The need for better connectivity, enhanced travel experience, reduced fuel costs, budget alignment, control over expenses has urged technology to step in." } }] }

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Aviation Technology

8 Enlightening Tips to Make a Perfect Airline Marketing Plan

Article | June 2, 2022

What are the aviation marketing questions B2B audiences are asking in 2021? It is always beneficial to study the market scenario and your competitors when starting a new marketing plan. It provides you with a better vision and explores opportunities to become the best in the market and which marketing approach to take. Before you start planning your marketing in aviation, there are a few things you should sort out first. So, start your strategy by taking note of some important marketing questions! Important Questions to Create an Aviation Marketing Plan Are aviation businesses doing more or less marketing in 2022? What are the best-performing aviation marketing campaigns? What marketing strategies are unused in the aviation industry? What are the international aviation marketing trends? Which social media do aviation marketing professionals use for marketing? How do aviation professionals plan the finance for marketing? How do market leaders optimize their websites and build a brand image? Keeping these questions beside you, follow the tips to create a prolific aviation marketing plan. Tips at your Fingers Tip One: Things to do—Image Vs. Words Usage of images (visuals) has become influential to do marketing in aviation. While the industry has always focused on verbal content, both are equally important, but in different marketing ways. Let’s understand the following: SEO: Images can’t do well when doing optimization. But words are the main component in optimization in blogs, articles, whitepapers, webinars, and more. Social media: Images are becoming more perusable and are more understood by audiences. Whereas words are compelling to get more visitors to the website. Website content: In this, both usages of images and content are important to connect with the audience and market well. It’s crucial to watch the latest aviation industry trends to plan your marketing efforts. Referring to that, you can make the most of materials using images like: • Display & explain products • Create presentation showing numeric data • Create videos out of content • A sales presentation Remember, now prospects are emotionally persuaded to purchase products and services. This will lead you to grab more and better aviation business opportunities. You have to be quick and pick up to make the deal yours. Being interactive in your image creation is the better way to show your audience your ideology. Tip Two: Create One Idea at Once Any marketing plan should start from one idea at a time. To proceed with it, think and consider— “what is the one thing you want your audience, visitors, or potential targets to understand and get solutions for? It is necessary to analyze first because most marketing sales professionals remain muddled with the motive behind their marketing efforts. Therefore, it’s better to refrain from yourself and try to ideate one concept at a time. In other words, everything you create should support that ONE idea! Tip Three: Branding is key! Branding is visual. Visuals appeal to prospects in the aviation industry. Is your brand instantly recognizable to your prospects? If not, you need to pay more heed to it. Your brand is more than any other asset that communicates your story. A creative and reflective brand image is one of the impactful aviation industry trends most aviation professionals focus on. It’s vital because visuals have an appealing factor. In addition, the professionals in the aviation industry, engage and trust information displayed than told to them. So, create a visual brand image that tells a story. Another most important thing is to add testimonials to your brand. Yes! Video testimonials are much more potent because it comes from your prospects. Make a “wish list” of prospects you would like to get a testimonial from and add it to your website! Tip Four: Campaign it! With RIGHT message Before you head towards creating campaigns for marketing in aviation, remember that every campaign needs these three elements: • A great list • A great offer • And a great presentation If any of these elements lack the motive, you won’t be successful. An example of it is a general digital magazine advertisement. It has a numerous list of subscribers, beautiful design, conceptualization, but no specific offer or a call to action. The reader won’t take any interest in responding to that particular ad. Such campaigns face severe failure! But if your campaign has the base of these elements, you can expect a good ROI for your business. Tip Five: Social Media Secrets There is always some information hidden in the news or something that your community or industry talks about. So, it is good to keep a watch on such matters to generate good content. Social media is the most preferred platform to do such activities today. You probably don’t have time to get involved in every social media channel. So, it's better to involve in one channel than to be on multiple. So, watch the new, set up analytics for key topics important in the industry, and let inspiration spread in the form of information through your marketing materials like infographics, slides, images, and more. As Hootsuit studied on social media usage by marketing leaders, let’s have a quick look at which social media do aviation professionals use for marketing mostly. LinkedIn Rare: 0% Monthly: 31% Weekly: 25% Daily: 57% Facebook Monthly: 13% Weekly: 9% Daily: 20% Twitter Monthly: 17% Weekly: 14% Daily: 25% Instagram Monthly: 4% Weekly: 11% Daily: 3% YouTube Monthly: 21% Weekly: 14% Daily: 10% These indicate that your competitors mostly use LinkedIn and Facebook channels for marketing because aviation professionals are most likely to be using these channels frequently. If you produce interesting information, you can build a strong online audience. Tip Six: Bag the deal with 15 Second Sales Presentation Sales & sale—do it the right way! What do you say when a prospect asks you, “What do you do?” Here your 20-second sales presentation works in a roomful of sales-interested prospects! Sale is a process. If you have the proper steps to follow intelligently, you will have much better results. But remember, it should be contented and compelling to the right people, but non-pitchy. Follow these tips to deliver a fantastic presentation within seconds: • Reflect your USP (unique selling proposition) • Your company’s tagline • Keep it amazingly short • Avoid usage of over hyperbole— for example “We have most unbelievably wonderfully grand aviation products for you” • Be concise, professional, and elegant • Use non-technical language • Tell benefits than features • Use examples when necessary Deliver an approachable, responsive, and simple presentation that makes your prospect say, “Tell me more about that!” Apart from this, sales are also about passion. And if a prospect senses your passion for what you do, they become much comfortable with your offerings! So, do your homework. Prepare for it in advance. Know everything you can about the prospect; its company, services, mode of work, and more. Then have a faithful and specific objective in mind for each sales call. This will find your prospect’s best interest to discover more, take the conversation deeper, and thus, no one can stop you from getting the deal done. Tip Seven: Plan an Editorial Calendar An editorial calendar is crucial when it comes to marketing—branding, sales, and relationship building. Providing highly informational content to your prospects allows interacting. To simply put, your calendar is the best cover page. It will help to align the process of marketing items such as: • Planned campaigns • Webinars • Seasonal events • Launches • expenses Planned marketing will bring fascinating aviation business opportunities and will stimulate the aviation industry growth. Tip Eight: Be Financially Strong! This is a crucial part. Finance is what your top management wants to see. It is easy to come up with a huge, long, unproductive, and unrealistic marketing plan. However, planning a reasonable one that is capable of bringing success and probability together is truly an art. So, ensure to make an advanced one with a monthly income statement and include assumptions you make. Marketing in aviation is growing fast and is not expected to be sluggish anytime soon. With the rising aviation industry trends, it's easy to see opportunities beyond 2021. Therefore, all you need is an all-inclusive plan by following these tips. They will help you learn online aviation marketing solutions to increase traffic, ROI, brand image, and of course, raise conversation rates. After completing your marketing planning, read further to get familiar with using effective marketing strategies that will bring effective change to your business. Frequently Asked Questions What are some of the tips for creating an aviation marketing plan? Aviation marketing has nothing different from other marketing ways. It is just you need to pay attention to the range of audiences is in the aviation industry. However, here are some more tips: • Optimize your every content generation • Display your potential to the audience • Pay attention to ads • Leverage paid ads • Do email What is the importance of marketing in aviation? Aviation not only deals with passengers; it includes businesses to make money. For that, marketing plays a vital role in making people aware of product selling or providing services. It drives awareness of products, creates a brand image, builds trust among buyers, and provides valuable information to the audience in various forms using various channels. What is the difference between selling and marketing? Selling makes money directly from the prospects. While marketing is all about serving solutions and satisfying prospect needs. The method includes different stages—planning, analyzing, monitoring, execution, promotion, and distribution. { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [{ "@type": "Question", "name": "What are some of the tips for creating an aviation marketing plan?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Aviation marketing has nothing different from other marketing ways. It is just you need to pay attention to the range of audiences is in the aviation industry. However, here are some more tips: Optimize your every content generation Display your potential to the audience Pay attention to ads Leverage paid ads Do email" } },{ "@type": "Question", "name": "What is the importance of marketing in aviation?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Aviation not only deals with passengers; it includes businesses to make money. For that, marketing plays a vital role in making people aware of product selling or providing services. It drives awareness of products, creates a brand image, builds trust among buyers, and provides valuable information to the audience in various forms using various channels." } },{ "@type": "Question", "name": "What is the difference between selling and marketing?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Selling makes money directly from the prospects. While marketing is all about serving solutions and satisfying prospect needs. The method includes different stages—planning, analyzing, monitoring, execution, promotion, and distribution." } }] }

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Defense and Space

5 Digital Strategies for the Aviation Industry

Article | June 8, 2022

Whether you’re a small, newer airline looking to make a splash in the online world or a niche brand wanting to expand your customer base, you’ll need the right aviation marketing strategies in your arsenal. Similar to any other industry in today’s market, digital strategies are non-negotiable for brands in the aviation space who are hoping to connect with customers online and restore customer confidence in the aftermath of COVID-19. And if you’re looking to take your brand to the digital skies, you need impactful strategies that help you offer a seamless customer experience. Let’s look at five strategies you can use for your aviation marketing strategy. Aviation Marketing through Social Media Visibility is a hugely important goal to achieve for any business. After all, how can you hope to attract new customers if no one knows about you? This is especially true and important for smaller airlines or those not operating in the commercial space. For example, when the average customer thinks about traveling by plane, they probably aren’t considering private airlines. But if customers see content online about airlines, perhaps even highlighting that some private airlines fall in their price range, things can change. Once customers are aware of your company, you’re one step closer to securing a sale. The key is getting in the picture in the first place—something social media can do. In addition to visibility, use social media to keep your customers informed. Despite us seemingly living in a post-COVID world, uncertainty is still a big factor that customers and airlines alike have to consider. Positive coronavirus results or transmission outbreaks can throw a wrench in travel plans right up until check-in, but social media offers a way to keep customers informed with live information and updates. Airlines can use social media platforms like Twitter to post live updates on flights, including regular information on delays, but also more unexpected and yet super useful updates on things such as weather conditions at their destination. And if you’re looking for international aviation marketing strategies as a multinational company, social media is a great way to connect with customers across territories too, thanks to its global reach. Digital Customer Service Strategies We saw during COVID-19 how important it was to provide quick, accurate information to customers, with things like up-to-date websites, live social updates, and automated texts for flight changes. These strategies all helped to streamline customer service offerings, as well as free up helplines and customer service booths at airports, and they have helped establish a new benchmark when it comes to customer service. Having a solid customer service strategy in place is more important than ever—specifically, having one that’s responsive, flexible, and digital. This means offering smart chatbots that can assist with frequently asked questions, detailed guidance online addressing common challenges that customers face, and over-the-phone support in multiple languages that can enhance an international aviation marketing strategy. Customer service might not seem like it matches with airline marketing, but going above and beyond for your customers is essential in creating the right reputation for your brand. Establishing your company as a gold-star service provider will not just give you something to shout about online, but it will also keep customers loyal and engaged with you too. Mobile Solutions We all know that the future is mobile—and it’s no different for aviation companies, who have that same pressure to keep up with technological advancements if they want to provide the best service possible for their customers. Smartphones are an integral part of all of our lives, and they’re now just as important as ever, as people are taking their digital identification with them on their travels. Aviation companies must recognize the company they keep in the travel space, where mobile apps support customers on their journeys and trips—from navigation to weather and accommodation to ridesharing. Without an interactive app or fully mobile-friendly site, an airline’s strategy for marketing won’t be as impactful. Customers used to have to carry printed versions of their flight documents in order to board, including boarding passes and booking confirmations, but things aren’t so paper-based anymore. Digital wallets that keep boarding passes safe and apps that store customers’ flight information are the norm now. Mobile apps are also fantastic for driving loyalty programs. With an interactive app where customers can collect and cash in loyalty points, you not only provide an easy way for customers to enjoy their rewards, but also make flying more accessible and cost-effective. In a post-COVID market, there is even more of an emphasis on contactless travel—another area where mobile solutions can play a key role. Phones allow consumers to have all their information handy, and other contactless technology helps facilitate airport management. Content that Creates Real Connections Digital content has the potential to reach a wider audience and, more importantly, turn readers into customers, so it should be included in any airline marketing strategy. Showing customers exactly what your company can do for them, and how you do it, is crucial for establishing strong branding and customer relationships. It’s how airlines can differentiate themselves from their competitors and add value to their services. Meaningful content that your audience will trust includes user-generated content that offers real insights into what it’s like to be a customer of your company, such as honest reviews and feedback from real customers. You can deliver this content in a variety of ways—e.g., blogs, videos, social media, PR—but however you choose to do so, be sure to keep the story at the forefront of your narrative to create those all-important connections with customers. Omnichannel Digital Experiences Alongside social media, there are a slew of other digital channels that should be considered in your digital strategy. This is hugely important because of the myriad ways that consumers interact with the online world nowadays. If it’s not live Twitter updates, it’s check-in reminder emails. The point is that brands need to be present across different platforms and digital mediums in order to provide a competitive and effective experience for their customers. For airlines, it’s about making sure that no matter what device a customer is using, their journey is cohesive and streamlined. They should be able to switch seamlessly between your website on their laptop and emails on a tablet, with the right information easy and quick to find in a consistently branded way. It’s also worth considering that people tend to carry multiple devices with them while traveling, making it even more important for airlines and airports alike to offer omnichannel digital content to their customers. Conclusion Whatever part of your aviation branding or marketing you need support with, the team at TPT Digital can take your brand to new heights. The 2022 Aviation Festival is a great opportunity for learning, connection, and collaboration—come and say hello to us there! Also, get in touch if you’d like to discuss how TPT Digital can support your paid social media content. We’re happy to give you a free quote.

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Spotlight

Emergent Space Technologies, Inc.

Emergent Space Technologies, Inc. provides consulting and engineering services to the civil, commercial, and military space industry around our core competencies of spacecraft guidance, navigation and control, satellite ground systems, and space mission automation. Our domain expertise and experience, combined with our knowledge of current and emerging technology, make Emergent the small business team of choice in the aerospace industry.

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Aerospace, Commercial Aviation, Aviation Technology

AAR signs extension and expansion of flight-hour component support agreement with ASL Aviation Holdings DAC

AAR CORP | January 04, 2024

AAR CORP. a leading provider of aviation services to commercial and government operators, MROs, and OEMs, has signed a multi-year contract extension and expansion for flight-hour component support services with ASL Aviation Holdings DAC (ASL Airlines). The contract extends and expands AAR's existing component support agreement with ASL Airlines Belgium to include ASL Airlines France, ASL Airlines United Kingdom, and ASL Airlines Ireland. AAR currently supports 28 ASL aircraft, which is expected to increase to 65 under the new agreement. AAR's Integrated Solutions' segment will provide 24/7 component support services for the airlines' Boeing 737 fleets. For more than a decade, ASL has benefited from AAR's proven excellence in delivering flight-hour support services and associated cost efficiencies, which enable the on-time performance of ASL's operations," said James George, ASL Aviation Holdings' Head of Procurement. "We are delighted to expand our partnership with AAR to include additional ASL airlines." "AAR's strategically located warehouses and support teams expedite the delivery of components and reduce maintenance turnaround times for ASL," said Chris Fiddes, AAR's Vice President of Commercial Programs. "We look forward to the expansion of our relationship as ASL grows and modernizes its fleet.

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Aviation Technology

Jet Linx Expands Private Aviation Footprint with New Base in Salt Lake City

Jet Linx | January 03, 2024

Jet Linx, a locally-focused private aviation company, announced its 22nd location at Salt Lake City International Airport. With established Base locations in Denver and Scottsdale, the new Salt Lake City Base strengthens the Company's presence in the Mountain West region and provides localized private jet services to Aircraft Owners and Jet Card Members throughout Utah. "We're thrilled to bring Jet Linx's extraordinary standard of customer service to Aircraft Owners and Jet Card Members in the Salt Lake City area," said Brent Wouters, Jet Linx CEO. "Salt Lake City and the great state of Utah attracts national and international visitors year-round and we look forward to serving as Salt Lake City's most trusted resource for private jet travel and Aircraft Management services." The establishment of Jet Linx's Salt Lake City Base is emblematic of the Company's continued national growth. Jet Linx opened its first private terminal in 1999 in Omaha, NE. In the 24 years since, the Company has expanded to 22 Bases nationwide. In addition to growing Base locations, Jet Linx continually invests in its operations to provide its customers with state-of-the-art facilities and the highest quality customer experience. In 2022, Jet Linx Scottsdale moved to a new, purpose-built facility in response to increasing local demand. "We're singularly focused on providing the highest quality, customized, local service to our customers supported by our national infrastructure and economies of scale," said Dan Pasque, Jet Linx Regional Base President. "We look forward to providing the Salt Lake City market access to our fleet of 100+ aircraft, while engaging one-on-one with our expert team based right at their home airport to meet their aviation needs." The Company plans for further national expansion as part of it's strategic growth initiative to increase fleet size and grow Jet Card clientele. In 2024, the Company will celebrate its 25th year in business.

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Business Aviation, Commercial Aviation

Skyservice Business Aviation Expands Presence in Montréal

Skyservice | September 26, 2022

Skyservice Business Aviation , a North American leader in business aviation, today announced it has acquired a heavy-body aircraft hangar and office facility from Bombardier, thereby doubling the Company's footprint at Montréal-Trudeau International Airport ("YUL") in Montréal, Canada.The 153,000- square-foot property includes 80,000 square feet of hangar space, providing Skyservice with greater capacity to perform nose-to-tail heavy aircraft maintenance as well as support the growing demand for aircraft management at YUL, one of Canada's busiest airports. "We are pleased to acquire this cutting-edge facility, which will allow us to deliver our award-winning services to even more aircraft owners, clients and fleet operators at YUL, Skyservice was founded in Montréal in 1986 and we are committed to continuing to invest in aviation excellence, innovation and sustainability at this airport, creating more opportunities for hands-on training and employment, and offering aircraft owners access to a full suite of best-in-class services and support." Benjamin Murray, President and CEO of Skyservice The transaction further strengthens Skyservice's presence in Canada's aviation services market. Earlier this year, Skyservice opened Toronto South, its second private jet center at Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ), which includes a 90,000 -square- foot hangar and a 20,000-square-foot Fixed Base Operation (FBO) exclusive to managed aircraft clients. Skyservice South joins Skyservice's Toronto Midfield FBO, which was voted one of the top 20% best FBOs in North America by AIN Magazine in April 2022 and the recipient of Best FBO in Canada in the 2022 PRASE* Survey by Professional Pilot Magazine. About Skyservice™ Skyservice is a North American leader in business aviation dedicated to innovation, responsible operations, safety, and service excellence. Celebrating its 36th successful year, Skyservice is at the forefront of the business aviation industry with best-in-class facilities across North America. Our skilled maintenance teams, outstanding fixed base operation facilities, first-class aircraft management, charter services, aircraft sales and acquisition provide our customers with an experience that is truly above and beyond.

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Aerospace, Commercial Aviation, Aviation Technology

AAR signs extension and expansion of flight-hour component support agreement with ASL Aviation Holdings DAC

AAR CORP | January 04, 2024

AAR CORP. a leading provider of aviation services to commercial and government operators, MROs, and OEMs, has signed a multi-year contract extension and expansion for flight-hour component support services with ASL Aviation Holdings DAC (ASL Airlines). The contract extends and expands AAR's existing component support agreement with ASL Airlines Belgium to include ASL Airlines France, ASL Airlines United Kingdom, and ASL Airlines Ireland. AAR currently supports 28 ASL aircraft, which is expected to increase to 65 under the new agreement. AAR's Integrated Solutions' segment will provide 24/7 component support services for the airlines' Boeing 737 fleets. For more than a decade, ASL has benefited from AAR's proven excellence in delivering flight-hour support services and associated cost efficiencies, which enable the on-time performance of ASL's operations," said James George, ASL Aviation Holdings' Head of Procurement. "We are delighted to expand our partnership with AAR to include additional ASL airlines." "AAR's strategically located warehouses and support teams expedite the delivery of components and reduce maintenance turnaround times for ASL," said Chris Fiddes, AAR's Vice President of Commercial Programs. "We look forward to the expansion of our relationship as ASL grows and modernizes its fleet.

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Aviation Technology

Jet Linx Expands Private Aviation Footprint with New Base in Salt Lake City

Jet Linx | January 03, 2024

Jet Linx, a locally-focused private aviation company, announced its 22nd location at Salt Lake City International Airport. With established Base locations in Denver and Scottsdale, the new Salt Lake City Base strengthens the Company's presence in the Mountain West region and provides localized private jet services to Aircraft Owners and Jet Card Members throughout Utah. "We're thrilled to bring Jet Linx's extraordinary standard of customer service to Aircraft Owners and Jet Card Members in the Salt Lake City area," said Brent Wouters, Jet Linx CEO. "Salt Lake City and the great state of Utah attracts national and international visitors year-round and we look forward to serving as Salt Lake City's most trusted resource for private jet travel and Aircraft Management services." The establishment of Jet Linx's Salt Lake City Base is emblematic of the Company's continued national growth. Jet Linx opened its first private terminal in 1999 in Omaha, NE. In the 24 years since, the Company has expanded to 22 Bases nationwide. In addition to growing Base locations, Jet Linx continually invests in its operations to provide its customers with state-of-the-art facilities and the highest quality customer experience. In 2022, Jet Linx Scottsdale moved to a new, purpose-built facility in response to increasing local demand. "We're singularly focused on providing the highest quality, customized, local service to our customers supported by our national infrastructure and economies of scale," said Dan Pasque, Jet Linx Regional Base President. "We look forward to providing the Salt Lake City market access to our fleet of 100+ aircraft, while engaging one-on-one with our expert team based right at their home airport to meet their aviation needs." The Company plans for further national expansion as part of it's strategic growth initiative to increase fleet size and grow Jet Card clientele. In 2024, the Company will celebrate its 25th year in business.

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Business Aviation, Commercial Aviation

Skyservice Business Aviation Expands Presence in Montréal

Skyservice | September 26, 2022

Skyservice Business Aviation , a North American leader in business aviation, today announced it has acquired a heavy-body aircraft hangar and office facility from Bombardier, thereby doubling the Company's footprint at Montréal-Trudeau International Airport ("YUL") in Montréal, Canada.The 153,000- square-foot property includes 80,000 square feet of hangar space, providing Skyservice with greater capacity to perform nose-to-tail heavy aircraft maintenance as well as support the growing demand for aircraft management at YUL, one of Canada's busiest airports. "We are pleased to acquire this cutting-edge facility, which will allow us to deliver our award-winning services to even more aircraft owners, clients and fleet operators at YUL, Skyservice was founded in Montréal in 1986 and we are committed to continuing to invest in aviation excellence, innovation and sustainability at this airport, creating more opportunities for hands-on training and employment, and offering aircraft owners access to a full suite of best-in-class services and support." Benjamin Murray, President and CEO of Skyservice The transaction further strengthens Skyservice's presence in Canada's aviation services market. Earlier this year, Skyservice opened Toronto South, its second private jet center at Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ), which includes a 90,000 -square- foot hangar and a 20,000-square-foot Fixed Base Operation (FBO) exclusive to managed aircraft clients. Skyservice South joins Skyservice's Toronto Midfield FBO, which was voted one of the top 20% best FBOs in North America by AIN Magazine in April 2022 and the recipient of Best FBO in Canada in the 2022 PRASE* Survey by Professional Pilot Magazine. About Skyservice™ Skyservice is a North American leader in business aviation dedicated to innovation, responsible operations, safety, and service excellence. Celebrating its 36th successful year, Skyservice is at the forefront of the business aviation industry with best-in-class facilities across North America. Our skilled maintenance teams, outstanding fixed base operation facilities, first-class aircraft management, charter services, aircraft sales and acquisition provide our customers with an experience that is truly above and beyond.

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