Airline Software Basics

Automation of the industry using airline software applications
By Phillip Galey There is a great body of airline software available to help airlines manage all facets of their operations. With the great size and complexity to which the airline industry has grown, the software infrastructure is indispensable. One major category is the maintenance software used in hangars, with applications covering documentation; in-flight diagnostics; maintenance scheduling; materials management; maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO); security and many other areas of focus.

Another major category is the "back office" software of airlines for managing such things as accounting, administration, marketing and sales. Next there is the major category of operations software. These software applications cover airport, cargo and flight operations (including airline booking software) and passenger operations. And finally there is the network infrastructure software that links all the client and server computers together. To learn more about airline software basics consider the following:

1. Get airline maintenance software programs needed by personnel in the hangars.

2. Investigate the features and benefits of airline operations software and airline reservation software.

3. Keep the airline business a finely tuned instrument with the right airline information systems in place.

Peruse listings of companies that sell airline maintenance software

Airline maintenance software is vital for maintenance crews and maintenance managers, automating everything from maintenance manuals, records and task cards to diagnostics, compliance and maintenance program management.
Try:  The Airline Industry Update has an extensive list of companies that make hangar-based software, i.e. software that performs various aspects of airline maintenance. Go to Capterra to compare different airline maintenance software packages.

Keep the ball rolling with all the right airline operations software

Airline operations is another category supported by airline software companies. Airline operations software handles everything from flight schedule management, flight watch and journey logging to crew rostering and training.
Try:  Intermec Technologies sells a series of software products that handle everything from asset tracking, compliance labeling and labor productivity to repair operations, self check-in and value added services and a dozen other functions, i.e. all facets of airline operations. Thirty Thousand Feet provides a list of software systems designed to manage various facets of airline operations. InteliSys Aviation Systems provides a module-by-module functional overview of its Amelia OPS software for automation of airline operations.

Discover what the various airline information systems have to offer

An airline information system can include applications from the whole gamut of airline software, including maintenance, operations, management and networking. Different sources favor different categories of software.
Try:  Airline Information Systems designs, writes and publishes aviation manuals of all types covering all regulatory processes. Caspis Information Systems sells software solutions for planning flights, generating timetables, rostering and pairing of crews, flight operations control, revenue management and much more. AirlineTechnology provides all four major categories of software for airlines as described above with many dozens of software programs in all.

• ITA online reservation systems software has been upgraded with a new "change itinerary" feature. Alaska Airlines is the first customer to use the new airline management system.