Nov 12, 2021 – Arzu ÇUBUKÇU
Processing Big Data is one of the popular fields recently. So, what does Big Data mean? How did it suddenly come into our lives? Where was it before? It’s no surprise Big Data, which seems to some to be some sort of fashion trend, become popular. Coming to the answers to our questions, Big Data, or even more fundamentally, data was actually everywhere. So why has it become a popular field now? Artificial intelligence, machine learning, cloud technologies, which came to the fore with the development of technology, mathematics, statistics… All of them are based on one thing: Data as a raw material which is the building block of basic sciences and the sectors derived from basic ones.
As technology develops, many sectors grow and develop with it. The development of technology also has great effects on the aviation industry. Last decades, the aviation industry was an important force for global markets and played an important role in the social and economic developments of countries. The number of air transport networks in the world is increasing day by day, and as a result, the aviation industry is gaining momentum, although it has been interrupted by the pandemic.
According to DHMI (Airports Authority in Turkey)’s 2018 figures, there are approximately 2 million flights and 210 million passenger traffic in Turkey. The activities of each passenger at the airports, flight delays, the activities of the passengers at the terminal and the information kept in the towers turn into huge data in aviation. If these data are not processed and interpreted, they remain only as numbers. However, the world is now focused on using this data, making sense of it, and producing new information to use it effectively. These recorded data are visualized and analyzes are made to ensure the safety of the infrastructure, runways, and passengers at the airports. As a result of these analyses, Traffic Forecasts and Master Plans are developed for capacity-increasing studies in areas that are not deemed sufficient at airports, and simulation programs are developed for passengers to receive better service and process faster. Up-to-date and reliable data enable better predictions. These estimations are important in calculating costs and risks, improving conditions, creating reliable airports and flying safely in the most appropriate, shortest time and with the lowest fuel.
According to ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization), data is the most comprehensive, up-to-date and reliable thing needed for planners and investors in a rapidly growing industry like Civil Aviation. ICAO’s aviation data/statistics program provides accurate, reliable and consistent aviation data so that governments, international organizations, the aviation industry, tourism and other stakeholders can:
- Make better predictions,
- Control costs and risks,
- Improve business values
- Improve benchmark portfolio performance. (ICAO, Aviation Data)
In developed countries, aviation authorities, airline companies and airport operators are now turning to use Big Data and the information generated from this data online in decision-making. In addition, Big Data, which does not contain personal information, is now considered a new commercial income item for airline companies and operators. For example, organizations that can transform their traffic and operational data into valuable information or indices within the scope of privacy and security standards can thus provide instant or regular gains to their businesses on the basis of promotion, followers and sales.
As a result, data is everything, it is everywhere, and it adds value wherever it is used. Growing sectors should learn from the accumulation of the past in order to analyze the present and shed light on the future. It is possible for us to build a more efficient industry for all stakeholders with reliable and sufficient data that has not been manipulated in Civil Aviation. We should not forget that data is not just a number. Big Data is waiting for us to make sense so that we can improve our social and economic conditions. Big Data can be an excellent fuel for an airplane, if used correctly.