American multinational Honeywell International Inc. has flown its ‘The Connected Aircraft” into India to showcase technologies that can help airlines reduce fuel consumption and maintenance costs, while providing high-speed Wi-Fi on board.
The company has initiated talks with Indian carriers and government authorities to deploy its technologies, an official said. “We are getting good response from our aviation customers and we are in talks with Indian carriers for deployment of connected technologies,” said Neelu Khatri, president, aerospace, Honeywell India.
A ‘connected’ aircraft can reduce fuel cost and emission by 5%, can receive, transmit, analyse and share data enabling more informed decision-making, help reduce operational costs and offer an improved flying experience, a statement from Honeywell said.
The aircraft can provide 10 to 100 times faster Wi-Fi speeds and offers insights through use of analytics, while ensuring a secure communication link to and from the aircraft.
An aircraft thus equipped helps the pilot visualise the landing at a difficult airport, ensuring smooth experience for passengers, the company said. Aircraft technicians can get to know what parts of the aircraft need repair before the flight arrives, helping in faster turnaround times.
‘Cost of delays’
Honeywell estimates that flight delays worldwide cost airlines about $25 billion and a grounded commercial jet, while being worked on, can cost up to $10,000 an hour. A connected aircraft can help avoid all that, the company said.
Honeywell has estimated that the market for connected aircraft is $7 billion globally and that there would be rapid adoption of such technologies. By 2015, an estimated 25,000 planes will be equipped with Wi-Fi as consumer demand would make airlines invest in such technologies.
