The State of Hi-Tech Innovation in the Global Aviation Industry

Enterprises in the aviation industry are constantly and rapidly launching new digital initiatives. Although the literature that demonstrates the benefits and challenges of digitalisation and technology integration abounds, a gap remains on the actual status of digitalisation within enterprises. The article closes this gap by offering a general description of the state of digitalisation and technology integration within ten selected airlines worldwide. This study is qualitative, and it draws on the reports, websites, and documented interviews of senior airline officials to make conclusions. The study found a differentiated degree of digitalisation and technology integration across airlines. However, the study found that airlines adopted or yearned for digital tools for four significant reasons: Improve operations management, improve flow monitoring and capacity management, enable predictive and preventive solutions, and reduce operational costs. Future research needs to explore the reasons behind differentiated digitalisation by the airlines qualitatively.