BA trials airside AI to improve departure times

British Airways has begun trials of artificial intelligence and wearable tech for Heathrow staff preparing aircraft to depart.

The trial means customers flying from Heathrow Terminal 5 can expect a faster getaway as intelligent software captures every moment from when aircraft arrive at the airport until they depart to help spot areas to improve punctuality.

The introduction of advanced neural networks, known as artificial intelligence, to its airside operation at T5, is the latest phase of its £6.5bn investment.

Currently, when customers disembark an aircraft, ground staff manually check and record the details of eighteen different activities that need to be completed before the plane can depart for its next flight – including thorough cleaning of the aircraft interiors, unloading and reloading of catering, luggage and cargo and refuelling.

An issue affecting just one of these tasks has the potential to disrupt the entire process and delay the flight’s departure.

Now, using a network of cameras set up around the aircraft stand, artificial intelligence is employed to compare live footage of the complex turnaround process with the proposed schedule.

If the technology detects any issues that could put the aircraft at risk of a delay, an alert is sent to the manager in charge of the turn within seconds via a smart watch, informing them of the issue and empowering them to take action to get the flight back on track.

The technology has been developed Assaia, an alumni of British Airways’ parent company IAG’s Hangar 51 start-up accelerator programme,

In this first stage of the trial, British Airways and Assaia have installed four cameras on three stands at Heathrow Terminal 5 and, as well as reducing delays, the airline is also able to collect data on every aircraft turn to help make its entire operation more efficient.

BA director of airports Raghbir S. Pattar, said: "British Airways operates up to 800 flights a day to and from Heathrow; we run a highly complex operation so efficient turnarounds are critical to ensure all 145,000 customers travelling through our home hub every day enjoy a punctual departure.

"Artificial intelligence is a rapidly evolving area of technology and I’m thrilled that we’re the first airline in the world to harness it to further improve our customers’ journeys through the airport.

"We’re excited to introduce even more smart, tech-based solutions in 2020."

Earlier this month, BA announced it was trialling driverless baggage vehicles at Heathrow.