Traveling to China: Part 2—Getting Around China

Aviation Technology

Article | July 26, 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. 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Air Transport

Article | July 6, 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. 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Aviation Technology

Article | June 2, 2022

The pandemic has fueled the private aviation segment boom. It has raised many new aviation business bodies. While the private aviation segment was once reserved for millionaires and A-listers, it now has aircraft that look for more quick and secure gateways. “We’ve flown more for businesses now than ever, based private jet travel provider PrivateFly.This is the time to use capital to travel safely. We’re seeing sales year-to-date matching with 2020. The sales are outperforming in the private jet market. And since the pandemic hit, we have seen striking changes in clients’ profiles and buying habits." - Adam Twidell, CEO and founder of UK Despite the ongoing dimness of the growth of the aviation industry, there has been a fresh influx of customers for private jets. The pandemic empowered the private aviation companies. As a result, the private jet market has noticed a higher demand of 72% healthy since 2019. About this, Adam Twidell mentions that private aviation is cautiously hopeful about the future for private jet travel.So, how is the private aviation market growing? How is private jet travel becoming popular? Let’s understand it. Why are Private Jet Companies Taking Off? Today, many business travelers are seeking a safer way to fly due to the ongoing effect of the pandemic. As a result, the term ‘safer’ fly has turned to private jet travel. Its appeal in the present time has been evident. But some reasons that support the answer behind arethe taking off of private aviation companies are as follows: The Uncertainty of Commercial Aviation A drop in airline operations throughout the pandemic is one of the reasons. On the other hand, the pandemic facilitated an increase in the number of new business travelers in private aviation. A Shift in Consumer Behavior The surging number of first-time flyers have learned to invest in safety. Consumers are beginning to understand that investing in safety is essential today. Consequently, private aviation is not considered a luxury but a common choice as a reliable travel solution. Control & Flexibility The evolving new technologies in aviation have now created controllable operations. Such advancement has enabled aviation businesses to recover rapidly. Similarly, the private aviation sector is passing the power to customers to choose scheduled flights. The flexibility of the travel segment has added a value in terms of safety for business travelers. “For companies looking to fly more frequently, they may get a jet card membership award. It will be a one-off charter and the commitment of jet ownership. You get a consistency of aircraft services like fixed prices and flexible terms." -Twidell More Options for Domestic The domestic aviation sector is recovering compared to the international sector, which is still down by 20% as compared to 2019 as per IATA. All of this is due to the innovation by private aviation companies. What do these key reasons show us? First, private aviation has constantly been reaching extraordinary heights and serving outstandingly in the new normal. In this case, some prominent private aviation companies are doing wonders in the aviation industry. They are bringing innovative ideas and reshaping global businesses effectively. So, who are they? What are those private aviation companies doing? Let’s know further. The Best of 4 Private Aviation Firms Reshaping Aviation Business aviation is expected to reach a valuation of more than 2 billion in 2022. This would be more than twice the valuation recorded in 2019, as per the Global Insights Market research study. So, let’s study some of the most sorted-out private aviation firms. And how they are making innovatory inclusions in the aviation industry. XOJET Xojet is known as “Uber for the airways,” being the third-largest North American private aviation company. Xojet partnered with JetSmarter – the world’s largest mobile marketplace for private jets. They aim to bring novel opportunities, ways, and ideas to reshape the industry once again. Xojet took advantage of digitalization and made the idea of “Uber for the airways” on-demand and straightforward. JetSmarter now serves as the exclusive digital distributor for XOJET’s aircraft, which has provided access to a new technology player—an unparalleled supply of premium jets. “This shared venture is all about efficiency, which makes us more successful in assisting our clients.” And we will be able to accelerate the process of providing a digital solution for them.” -Brad Steward, CEO of Xojet The real opportunity is to put the 11,000 private jets in service in the US. And most of them would fly at an average of 200 hours annually at 30% capacity. As a result, XOJET generated more than $300 million worth of revenue in the second quarter of 2020. So, it is undoubtedly the digitization of private aviation that is concreting the pathway of growth of the industry for the future. NetJets NetJets has been serving as one of the oldest and largest private aviation companies. It accumulated a fleet of around 700 jets globally. NetJets’ plans for the first supersonic business jet with its sizeable fresh capital front. It plans to build a supersonic aircraft and is working with innovative and creative partners and private jet manufacturers. Additionally, NetJets has received a delivery of 25 new private jets so far in 2021. It expects to spend around $2.5 billion to add another hundred jets by the end of 2022. VeriJet VeriJet started offering aircraft engines based on cruise missiles and carbon-fiber fuselages. With the help of low emission techniques, the engines are more durable and promote efficient flying. In addition, it has involved artificial intelligence assistance with one pilot. AI helps the jet with landing and other flight operations. Richard Kane, VeriJet’s chairman, and CEO is counting on “carbon shaming” and promotes go-green emission and fly efficiently. Clay Lacy Aviation Clay Lacy Aviation has earned a reputation among other prominent private aviation users for its Waterbury-Oxford (KOXC) operations and maintenance facility. It has actively provided jet charter and looks after maintenance, aircraft management, repair, and renovation capabilities. “We have offered solutions for clients by providing the first charter to professional aircraft management. From heavy maintenance inspections and cabin upgrades. We offer all at the best value.” -Clay Lacy Aviation With this, Clay Lacy experienced an 80% growth over the first 18 months. The growth was recorded by word of mouth spread rapidly across the region based on the East Coast at airports from New Hampshire to Florida. Apart from this, a data-driven approach to private jet manufacturers and management constantly compares clients’ operating parameters. The process thus ensures that the asset is well-maintained and operates efficiently. The Demand for Private Aviation is Still Rising Experts say that the private aviation sector saw an uptick in 2021. In addition, the private aircraft firms witnessed a gradual rise in business from August 2021. The aviation industry has been tested for a long time when it comes to adapting to diverse requirements. But, in the end, the industry has smartly evolved through challenges over technology and innovation. And the numbers should only proceed to grow now as global businesses recover their positions in late 2021. “While the business aviation industry continues to experience a thriving market, the longer-term picture will clear step-by-step. Well-known issues such as the pilot shortage, collapse in values of used jets, lack of OEM innovation, rising operational costs have been recognized well, and the industry will cope soon. As a result, the overall environment is prepared for bringing in innovation from every aspect.” -Peter Maestrales, CEO, Airstream Jets Frequently Asked Questions What is the valuation of the private aviation market? The private jet aircraft’s market size was $24.4 billion globally in 2019. But during the pandemic, the valuation diminished by $20.1 billion. According to recent calculations, for the first quarter of 2021, the private aviation sector grew to a share of $23.6 billion. What countries have the most private jet operations? The United States occupies first place in private jet operations. But then, Europe is counted for having a big part of private jet operations. Why is the private aviation sector becoming more popular? Private flying has gained popularity because it has fared better than commercial operators. In addition, it has offered convenience, safety, time-saving, flexibility, and costs.

Article | April 20, 2020

With rescue flights crisscrossing the globe and passengers keen to get where they are going as soon as possible, will we see the end of hub to hub travel? Has this current aviation crisis signaled the decline of the current model of aviation we know today? One reporter at Simple Flying gives his opinion.