Session Eight :

Panel discussion - Leveraging technological enablers to boost the efficiency of airline systems and business processes

Technology is the buzz word, which is changing the aviation sector in a big way. The online sector has enhanced the working atmosphere of airlines, hotels and travel fraternity. It is due to the technology that all the paper driven manual process has transformed into hassle free task for the tourism industry worldwide. It is all because of the 'E' word that is helping the industry to keep the cost as low as possible. Technology and its applications was the focus of the eight business session, a panel discussion.
The panelists consisted of Virendra Pal, Chief Technology Officer, Spice Jet; Rick Ellerbrock, Enterprise Solution Strategist, Jeppesen Commercial and Military Aviation; Capt Hassan Al-Mousawi, Vice President of Operations Safety & Quality, Jet Airways and Narasimha Jayakumar, Business Head & Local, Google India. David Huttner, Managing Director, Planely Spoken moderated the session. Starting off, Pal highlighted the importance of technology in the aviation industry, which has enhanced the work atmosphere for airlines. "It is because of the technology that we have to put in lesser investments for man power. In the scenario where the shortage of man power is high, IT is like a cost saving machine for us," stated Pal.

Echoing similar thoughts, Ellerbrock spoke about various instances in the aviation sector worldwide where technology has enhanced systems and working strategies of airlines and airports. He said, "Every hour some innovative technology is overcoming a problem faced by the aviation sector. With improving IT sector, the future of aviation industry is bright. For instance, RNP (Required Navigation Performance) has solved major problems faced by airlines."

Talking about the IT penetration in the India, Jayakumar said, "IT is one of the best tools for consumers and service providers to search for the best options in travel. With the rising penetration level of Internet in India, more and more service providers are going online for better sales and profit margins." Concluding the discussion, Jayakumar said, "Internet transformed Indian travel industry. It is providing opportunities to the service providers to target the global audience segment. Even the newer players in the market are now using the internet to distribute cost efficiently, not even for sales but also for brand building and using it as a marketing channel.