Of drones, air taxis and strategy

Drones and unmanned aircraft can be integrated into the airport ecosystem. They provide opportunities and have benefits for the airport community while also having their peculiar challenges. The opportunities that drones, electric Vertical Take-off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft will come with are such that all airports should look forward to and seek to take advantage of.

To leverage on these advantages, airports in Africa will need to look inwards and develop ambidextrous leaders. These benefits will require preparation and proactive thinking, appreciation of innovation and changing regulatory requirements, active communication to get the buy-in of stakeholders, participation in regulation setting and understanding of the economic benefits and sustainability dimensions in the use of drones and air taxis.

Remotely-piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) hold promise for such things as cargo deliveries, humanitarian operations and monitoring operations, among others. With an eye on the future, these innovations point to a future whose inclination is towards being digital, sustainable and autonomous – and it also comes with its challenges and requests for innovative solutions. RPAS is defined as “An aircraft where the flying pilot is not on board the aircraft” – ICAO Cir 328, Unmanned Aircraft Systems.

Advanced Air Mobility ( AAM) is an innovation that the aviation industry is preparing for. It will complement and enhance the existing aviation network as it will come with fast and reliable connections to and from airports and communities to which they render services. Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) is a term that covers aircraft that are likely highly automated and electric and are often referred to as air taxis or electric Vertical Take-off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft.

Airport master plans must begin to pay attention to infrastructure needs for vertiports. Either existing infrastructure will have to be adapted to suit the new requirements or some new facilities will have to be put in place. In the same way, emergency response plans for drone incursions into airspace will have to be put in place as various scenarios are anticipated. Preparation will also entail thinking through the charges at the airport in the face of these new revenue streams as well as the best business model in the light of changing circumstances.

Innovation is no stranger to aviation. The history of aviation has many stories of innovation. These innovations give pride to the industry and make it attractive to young people seeking fulfillment. Where there is a lukewarm attitude to embracing innovation, the human resource challenge, which the industry now has to contend with, is worsened. As the industry embraces innovation, the regulations needed to ensure safety and security in particular will need to be revisited.

If Africa will show increased visibility in the aviation industry, its voice must be heard in the global community. And this will entail educating her people and having a clear appreciation of the various ‘Standards’ and ‘Recommended Practices’ being proposed as these innovations are embraced globally.

Beyond laying contingent plans, airports must begin to engage with potential sources of incursion by drones such as those carrying out their legitimate businesses oblivious of the dangers inherent in the use of such technology in the airport community. Students in primary and secondary schools will be ready sources of knowledge sharing and raising of persons who not only are aware of the technology, but can become ready advocates and champions of the good use of this technology and can warn against the negative impact also.

Aviation should not stand on its own as a means of transportation. It is part of a multimodal means of movement that adds more value when it is integrated with other means of transport. This innovation in transport should also not be left out of the thought process in achieving integrated transport architecture for the airport. The advantage that comes with such integration will improve the customer experience and make transportation more affordable for those in the lower income bracket who may work in the airport such as cleaners and the like.

The economic benefits go beyond an increase in the real value of the income of workers. Where drones are used for surveillance, not only do they reduce the heavy reliance on patrol vehicles and fuel, but they also reduce the carbon footprints of the airports. Using drones also helps address the human resource challenge in the aviation industry post-pandemic as such leverage on technology will reduce reliance on many individuals working shifts for surveillance purposes.

The infrastructure requirements for vertiports can open opportunities for Public Private Partnership, which is a source of infrastructure financing. With very many airports in Africa being owned by the government, PPP is an open door to much needed finance.

Ambidextrous leaders are thinking about the next decade rather than the next month. They are getting their organisation on their feet to rethink opportunities as well as their strategic goals in the face of changing circumstances. They have been described as playing offence and defence. This is the kind of leadership aviation in Africa needs to face the future in the aviation industry and reap the benefits of innovation.