The Essentials for Smooth Flight Operations

The aviation industry is highly competitive. Airlines often operate on low margins and with frequent changes in demand and in the level of competition they face. Added to this, the operational and regulatory environment moves quickly as well. Providing smooth flight operations against this background is not always easy, but it is something that passengers and customers will always expect.

Anyone involved with the aviation industry will appreciate the ups and downs that the sector experiences. All non-essential service industries face changes in demand and customer behaviour, and aviation is no exception. In fact, it is highly exposed to external events – with the weather, airspace restrictions, and regulatory issues all potential sources of disruption.

You only have to look at the past two to three years to see how far this can go. The pandemic has brought unprecedented changes in demand, restrictions, and permitted travel. In 2022, airspace closures in Europe and Russia have seen many airlines quickly changing flight plans. These are a reminder of the many times unexpected events have caused similar problems in the past.

Having flexibility in place within the business and within individual flight plans can help cope with such unexpected events. This involves all areas of operations – from aircraft availability and maintenance schedules to crew positioning and availability and backups in supplies such as fuel, catering, and maintenance.