Airbus’ Skywise data platform gains momentum

New agreements announced this week highlight its attractiveness for the aviation sector

With the announcement of two key agreements earlier this week, Airbus further underscored the success of its Skywise digital aviation data platform – which aims to become the single platform of reference used by all major aviation players to improve operational performance and business results.

Launched last year in collaboration with Palantir Technologies, Skywise provides users with a single access point to their enriched data by bringing together aviation information from multiple sources into one secure, cloud-based platform physically hosted in Europe.

The first agreement announced this week, signed by Airbus and FPT Software, will strengthen development of the Skywise ecosystem in Asia and includes an ambitious training programme for both third-party users and software developers.

easyJet opts for Skywise

The agreement with FPT Software was made public the same day as Airbus’ new five-year pact with British operator easyJet to provide predictive maintenance services for its entire fleet of nearly 300 aircraft, using technology that relies on Skywise. This activity builds on extensive trials with the platform that allowed easyJet engineers to remove components before faults occurred, limiting delays and cancellations as a result.

Skywise is able to analyse data from other components on easyJet’s aircraft thanks to the installation of Airbus’ new flight operations and maintenance exchanger, called FOMAX – which collects 60-times more data than existing systems. The new equipment will be fitted on easyJet’s fleet by summer 2019. 

The more data that is shared with Skywise, the more accurate its predictions and models will be for all users. Deliverables are tailored for each user and include scalable services (such as analytics, apps and APIs) that can be used by Airbus, customers, and suppliers – ensuring complete data continuity with benefits across the entire value chain.

Big data bringing significant gains in operational performance for easyJet’s fleet

easyJet has signed a five year agreement with Airbus to provide predictive maintenance services for its entire fleet approaching 300 aircraft. The technology relies on Airbus’ Skywise data platform which will allow easyJet’s engineers to intervene early and replace parts before the component’s failure, thereby preventing passengers from experiencing delays and cancellations.

Johan Lundgren, CEO of easyJet, commented: “easyJet is leading the industry in using data and artificial intelligence to improve our efficiency as well as in other parts of the airline where its use can reduce costs, improve customer satisfaction and increase revenue. Our investment in the Skywise platform can really make a tangible difference for thousands of passengers by harnessing the power of big data to reduce delays. It will transform the way that we maintain and operate our aircraft with the long term aim of eliminating delays due to technical faults.”

Tom Enders, Airbus Chief Executive Officer, commented: “Our Skywise trial with easyJet over the past three years has been tremendously successful, demonstrating significant gains in operational performance through predictive maintenance. We are delighted to further cement our collaboration by extending this trail-blazing technology to easyJet’s entire A320 Family fleet.”

The new technology builds on extensive trials of the Skywise platform allowing easyJet to remove components before faults occur, thus enabling more flights to operate on schedule. Skywise can now analyse data from other components on easyJet’s aircraft thanks to the installation of Airbus’ newly released flight operations and maintenance exchanger FOMAX – which collects 60 times more data than existing systems.  The new equipment will be fitted on easyJet’s fleet by summer 2019. 

Airbus launched the Skywise aviation data platform at the 2017 Paris Air Show, in collaboration with Palantir Technologies – pioneers in big-data integration and advanced analytics. Building on the announcement in February 2018 that some 1,000 aircraft were to be connected, Skywise aims to become the platform of reference used by all major aviation players to improve their operational performance and business results and to support their own digital transformation.