2017 was a landmark year in commercial aviation history. It was
not only the safest year ever, but also the year aviation
definitively kicked off its digital revolution. Connected aircraft,
Industry 4.0, and open data platforms such as AnalytX, Skywise, and
Predix became common parlance at the year's biggest
airshows.
However, 2019 has been sobering. The recent 737 MAX crisis has
prompted new reflection on how planes are designed, how authorities
certify them, and how pilots are trained. It has reminded everyone
that the number one focus has been and must remain passenger
safety.
Naturally, it raises the question of whether the digital
revolution could play a role in preventing accidents. In
particular, will connected aircraft be short-lived hype or a real
game changer to the aviation industry, starting with safety?
