It’s no secret that the airline industry is under pressure. Rising fuel prices, stiff competition, and an uncertain economy have all taken their toll on the airlines. In order to compete and survive in this environment, airlines are looking for new ways to save money and increase efficiency. One way they are doing this is by implementing RFID technology.
RFID technology is revolutionizing the airline industry by making it more efficient and secure. RFID tags can be placed on boarding passes, luggage, and other items, allowing airlines to keep track of them more easily. This helps to prevent lost luggage and speed up the boarding process. RFID tags can also be used to identify passengers, which can help to improve security.
In this blog post, we will explore how RFID is being used in the airline industry, what benefits it provides, some of the challenges it faces, and what are the prerequisites for implementing it.
RFID in the Airline Industry
The use of RFID in the airline industry is not new. It was first used in 2016 by Delta Air Lines to track baggage. Today, many major airlines are using RFID, including American Airlines, British Air Ways, United Airlines, and others. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has even developed standards for the use of RFID in the airline industry. In this regard, Resolution 753 is important, which bounds the airlines to track the location of baggage at four points from check-in to return to the passenger. Besides the tracking of luggage, RFID is also used for other purposes in the airline industry, such as tracking inventory, monitoring aircraft maintenance, and even check-in in passengers. Let’s take a closer look at each of these applications.
Baggage tracking
As we mentioned before, one of the most important uses of RFID in the airline industry is baggage tracking. This helps to prevent lost luggage and makes the boarding process more efficient.
When a passenger checks in their luggage, an RFID tag is attached to it. The tag contains information about the passenger and their flight. As the luggage moves through the airport, it is scanned at various points. This allows airline staff to track the location of the luggage and make sure it is on the correct flight.
Whereas at the time of check-in, the passenger gets only a paper receipt that is easy to lose, with RFID each passenger gets an e-receipt with a unique identifier for their luggage. This makes it much easier to track and retrieve lost luggage. It also allows airport staff to quickly identify which pieces of luggage are on the wrong flight.
The sorting process of the luggage is also facilitated by RFID. The traditional method used by the airlines to sort the luggage is called “hands-on” and it’s very time-consuming. With RFID, the sorting process is automated and much faster.
Tracking inventory
The airline industry has always struggled with tracking inventory. This is because traditional methods like barcodes are not very efficient. RFID technology has revolutionized the way airlines track inventory. RFID tags can be scanned more quickly and easily than barcodes, and they do not require line-of-sight scanning. This makes it easier to track inventory and reduces the likelihood of errors.
RFID also allows airlines to track inventory in real time. This means that they are seeing exactly what is in stock and where it is located. This is helping them to prevent shortages and streamline the ordering process. RFID also enables airlines to keep track of damaged or lost items. By using RFID tags, airlines can quickly identify which items need to be replaced or repaired.
The benefits of RFID for tracking inventory are clear. It is faster, more accurate, and provides real-time information about what is in stock. However, there are some challenges that airlines face when implementing RFID for this purpose. One challenge is the cost of RFID tags. The RFID systems are expensive to produce, which can add up over time. Additionally, not all items can be tagged with an RFID tag, which limits its usefulness in certain cases.
Despite these challenges, the benefits of RFID for tracking inventory are too great to ignore. Airlines that want to stay competitive should consider implementing this technology.
Monitoring aircraft maintenance
Aircraft maintenance is a critical part of the airline industry. In order to ensure safety, it is important that aircraft are regularly inspected and maintained. Aircraft downtime is a major cost for airlines. In fact, it is estimated that the average commercial jet spends about 20% of its time on the ground being serviced. This costs airlines billions of dollars each year.
RFID is being implemented to reduce this cost by making it easier to track and manage aircraft maintenance. RFID tags are placed on aircraft parts, tools, and other equipment. With the help of an RFID reader, the maintenance staff can quickly and easily identify which parts need to be serviced. This helps to reduce the amount of time that an aircraft spends on the ground. Additionally, it helps to prevent potential safety issues by making sure that all aircraft parts are in good working condition.
Moreover, the real-time data related to maintenance can be stored and accessed later as required which wasn’t possible earlier and would have taken a lot of time. This information is used to plan and schedule maintenance more efficiently. Additionally, it can help to prevent the use of faulty or expired parts, which can lead to accidents.
Boarding process
The boarding process is one of the most time-consuming and frustrating parts of air travel. Long lines at the gate are a common sight. This is because the traditional boarding process is very inefficient. With RFID, the boarding process can be made much faster and smoother.
RFID tags can be placed on boarding passes or luggage tags. When passengers go through security, their RFID tags will be read. This will help to speed up the process and make it more efficient. Additionally, it will help to reduce the amount of time that passengers spend waiting in line.
Access control
Access control is a major challenge for the airline industry. There are a lot of people who need to access restricted areas, such as airport runways and aircraft hangars. This can be a security risk. RFID is being used to improve access control in the airline industry.
In an RFID access control system, RFID tags are placed on employee ID badges. When an employee needs to access a restricted area, they will need to scan their RFID tag. The RFID reader, which is connected to a security system, will then grant or deny access. This helps to improve security by making it more difficult for unauthorized people to gain access to restricted areas.
RFID can also be used for time and attendance. This can help airlines to track employee hours and prevent fraud. Additionally, it can help to improve customer service by making sure that employees are working their shifts.
So these are a few applications of RFID in the airline industry. There are many other potential uses for this technology. Airlines that want to stay ahead of the competition should consider implementing RFID. Let’s take a look at some of the benefits of RFID in the airline industry.
Benefits of RFID in Airlines
There are many benefits that airlines can enjoy by implementing RFID technology. These include:
Reduced Costs
The airline business is a low-margin business, so every cost savings is important. RFID can help to reduce costs in several ways. For example, it can help to reduce the number of lost bags, which can save the airline money on insurance claims and customer service. In addition, RFID can help to speed up the boarding process, which can save time and money.
Moreover, the manual process of matching bags to passengers is time-consuming and error-prone. RFID can automate this process, which can further reduce costs.
Improved Customer Service
Customer service is an area where RFID can make a big difference. For example, RFID can help to reduce the number of lost bags, which is a major source of customer dissatisfaction. In addition, RFID can help to improve the boarding experience by making it faster and more efficient. In this way, customers will spend less time waiting in line and more time enjoying their flight.
Furthermore, RFID can be used to track passengers in case of delays or cancellations. This information can be used to provide better customer service by re-routing passengers or finding them alternate flights.
Improved Efficiency
The efficiency of the airline industry is important for two reasons. First, it directly impacts the bottom line. Second, it helps to improve the customer experience. RFID can help to improve efficiency in several ways. Besides reducing the number of lost bags and speeding up the boarding process, RFID can also be used to track maintenance issues. These maintenance issues may include anything from a flat tire to an engine problem. By tracking these issues, they can be fixed more quickly, which reduces downtime and improves efficiency.
In addition, RFID can help to improve the flow of information between different parts of the airline industry. For example, it can be used to track baggage as it moves through the airport. This information can then be shared with ground crews, which can help to speed up the process of loading and unloading planes.
Security
The 9/11 terrorist attacks highlighted the need for improved security in the airline industry. RFID can play a role in improving security in several ways. First, it can be used to restrict access of unauthorized individuals in sensitive areas of the airport such as secured areas, AOA, SIDA, ATSP areas, and others. This is usually done with the help of RFID-based access control systems.
Secondly, it can be used to track people and bags as they move through the airport. This information can be used to screen for potential threats. Moreover, RFID can improve security by providing a tamper-proof record of who was on board a plane. This information can be used in the event of an accident or terrorist attack to identify the passengers and crew.
Anti-counterfeiting
The airline industry is also plagued by the problem of counterfeiting. This is a major concern for both airlines and passengers. For example, counterfeit airplane parts can lead to accidents. In addition, counterfeit tickets can be used to bypass security and board a plane without going through the proper channels.
RFID can help to reduce the problem of counterfeiting in several ways. First, it can be used to track airplane parts. This information can then be used to ensure that only genuine parts are used. Airbus and Boing are already using RFID to track parts. In addition, RFID can be used to track tickets. This information can be used to verify the authenticity of a ticket and to identify the holder.
Reduced delays
The main aim of using RFID in the airline industry is to improve efficiency and reduce delays. By tracking bags and people, RFID can help to speed up the process of loading and unloading planes.
In addition, it can help to track maintenance issues so that they can be fixed more quickly. This is not only beneficial for the passengers but also for the airline companies as it can help to reduce operational costs.
The benefits of using RFID in the airline industry are numerous. However, there are also some challenges that need to be considered. Let’s talk about the challenges of RFID in the airline industry.
Challenges of RFID in the airline industry
The following are some of the challenges of RFID in the airline industry:
High cost
One of the main challenges of using RFID in the airline industry is the high cost. The tags that are used in this industry are Ultra High Frequency (UHF) tags and they are relatively expensive. Similarly, Active tags are also used for the tracking of costly items or parts and they are also very expensive.
The cost of implementing an RFID system can be a barrier for many airlines, especially smaller ones. In addition, the cost of maintaining and updating an RFID system can also be quite high. This makes it difficult for small airlines to adopt RFID.
Lack of standardization
Another challenge of using RFID in the airline industry is the lack of standardization. There is no single RFID standard that is widely used in the industry. This makes it difficult for different airlines to interoperate. In addition, it makes it difficult for vendors to develop compatible products.
Privacy concerns
Another issue that needs to be considered is the privacy concerns that are associated with RFID. The tracking of people and bags can raise privacy concerns. These concerns need to be addressed before RFID can be widely adopted in the airline industry.
The challenges of using RFID in the airline industry should not be underestimated. However, the benefits of RFID are too great to ignore. The airline industry needs to find ways to overcome these challenges to take advantage of the benefits of RFID.
Some small airlines are still using the barcode system and have not switched to RFID due to the high cost.
The next section is for those who are still confused about deciding between switching to RFID or not. We will talk about the prerequisite for the RFID system in the airline industry. This will help them to make informed decisions.
What are the prerequisites for the implementation of the RFID system in the airline industry?
The RFID system in the airline industry works in conjunction with several other systems like the Baggage Handling System (BHS), the Weight and Balance System (WBS), and the Aircraft Maintenance Tracking System (AMTS).
The successful implementation of RFID in the airline industry requires the following prerequisites:
- All airlines must switch to the UHF Gen 2 standard for their tags. This is the most widely used RFID standard and it will allow different airlines to interoperate.
- The tag vendors must be certified by the Air Transport Association (ATA). This will ensure that the tags are of high quality and are compatible with the systems of different airlines.
- Airports must have RFID-enabled baggage handling systems. This will allow bags to be tracked throughout the airport.
- All airlines must have RFID-enabled check-in systems. This will allow passengers to be tracked throughout the airport.
- A clear understanding of the benefits and challenges of RFID is necessary for the successful implementation of RFID in the airline industry.
With the proper prerequisites in place, RFID can be successfully implemented and will bring many benefits to the airline industry.
What hardware and software are required for RFID-based systems in airlines?
The hardware required for RFID-based systems in airlines includes RFID tags, RFID readers, and antennas. The software required for these systems includes middleware and applications. The middleware is used to connect the different components of the system and the applications are used to provide the functionality that is required by the system. All of these requirements are given below:
- RFID tags
- RFID readers
- Antennas
- Server
- middleware
- Software applications
Let’s take a detailed look at each of these components.
RFID tags
Radiofrequency identification tags are the most commonplace thing in every RFID system. They are also referred to as RFID transponders. The tag is programmed with a unique identifier which is used to identify the object to which the tag is attached. The tag transmits this identifier to the reader when it comes into the range of the reader.
In the airline industry, as there are different types of objects like bags, parcels, etc. to be identified, so different types of tags are used. The most common type of tag used in the airline industry is the passive Ultra High-Frequency tag (UHF tag). This type of tag does not have its own power source and it draws power from the reader when it comes into the range of the reader. There are many companies that are manufacturing quality RFID tags like Nexqo.
Why UHF tags are used in the airline industry?
UHF tags are used in the airline industry because they have a longer read range than other types of tags and they can be read through a variety of materials. This makes them ideal for use. In the airline industry where there are a lot of objects to be identified and they need to be read through a variety of materials.
RFID readers
RFID readers are used to reading the information stored on the RFID tags. They are also referred to as interrogators. The reader transmits a signal to the tag which powers the tag and allows it to transmit its identifier to the reader. The reader then decodes the identifier and uses it to identify the object to which the tag is attached.
Handheld readers
In the airline industry, different types of RFID readers are used depending on the application. The most common type of RFID reader used in the airline industry is the handheld reader. These readers have multi-functionality. For example, they can read RFID tags of different frequencies as well as bar codes. These readers are portable and they can be used to read tags attached to a variety of objects.
Static readers
However, in the Baggage handling system, fixed RFID readers are used. These readers are installed at different points in the system and they read the tags attached to the bags as they pass through the system.
Antennas
RFID antennas are used to transmit the signal from the reader to the tag and vice versa. The antenna is a critical part of the RFID system as it determines the range of the system.
The range of passive UHF RFID tags is up to 12 meters, which is sufficient for most applications however sometimes it is necessary to increase the range of the system in which case antennas with a higher gain are used.
There are two types of UHF RFID antennas which are as follows:
- Linear polarized antennas – These antennas radiate the energy in one plane which makes them suitable for use in applications where the tag is moving in a known direction.
- Circular polarized antennas – These antennas radiate the energy in a circular plane which makes them suitable for use in applications where the tag is moving in any direction.
In the airline industry, circular polarized antennas are used as they have a number of advantages over linear polarized antennas. Some of the advantages of circular polarized antennas are given below:
- They provide a wider read zone as compared to linear polarized antennas.
- Circular polarized antennas can be used in environments where there is metal as they are not affected by metal.
- They have higher immunity to interference as compared to linear polarized antennas.
Server
The server is the heart of the RFID system. It is responsible for storing the information read by the RFID readers. The information can be stored in a central database or in a distributed database. The server is also responsible for managing the data and providing it to the application when required.
In the aviation industry, the number of air crafts and the amount of baggage that needs to be handled is very large. This means that the RFID system needs to be able to handle a large number of tags and a large amount of data. For this reason, the aviation industry uses centralized databases which are more scale-able.
There are some companies that are providing cloud-based RFID solutions that can be used by the aviation industry. These solutions are scale-able and they can be used to store a large amount of data.
Middleware
Middleware is the software that is used to connect the RFID system to the application. It is responsible for managing the data received from the RFID system and providing it to the application. Middleware also provides features such as filtering, event management, and data processing.
Some of the most popular middleware software used in the airline industry is as follows:
- Flow Middleware Platform
- IBM WebSphere Application Server
- Oracle Fusion Middleware
- Microsoft BizTalk Server
- WSO2 Carbon
These are some of the best middleware software which can be used in the airline industry.
Applications
The applications are the software that is used to manage the data received from the RFID system. These are the programs that are used to interpret the data and take decisions.
Applications are the backbone of RFID systems. They are responsible for taking the data received from RFID systems and turning it into useful information. Some of the things that can be achieved through applications are as follows:
- Inventory management
- Tracking assets
- Traffic management
- Customer tracking
- Security
The applications can be divided into two categories which are as follows:
- Stand-alone applications – These are the application which is used to manage the data received from the RFID system. These applications are installed on a single computer and they are not connected to any other system.
- Web-based applications– These are the application which is used to manage the data received from the RFID system. These applications are installed on a server and they can be accessed by any computer which is connected to the internet.
Some popular and useful applications for the airlines
Some of the popular applications used in the airline industry are as follows:
- Airside Management System (AMS)
- Aircraft Tracking System (ATS)
- Baggage Tracking System (BTS)
- Besides these applications, there are many other applications that are developed by the developers for the custom needs of the airlines.
Conclusion
RFID is a very powerful technology that can be used in many different industries. It has a wide range of applications and it can be used to achieve many different goals. The airline industry is one of the most important users of RFID. It uses RFID for many different purposes such as baggage tracking, inventory management, security, access control, and customer tracking. RFID has helped the airline industry to become more efficient and effective. However, there are some small airlines that are not using RFID because of the cost. But, in the future, it is expected that all airlines will use RFID to improve their operations. In case you are looking for RFID solutions for your business, you can get in touch with us. We are a leading provider of RFID solutions and we can help you to choose the right RFID system for your business.