The results of a new IT survey are being hailed as a sign the airline industry is emerging from the economic perils of the past two years with "growing optimism".
The annual survey from airline and airport technology provider SITA says 56% of the 129 airlines around the world that responded to the poll would be increasing their IT spend in 2011, with 10% indicating a decrease and leaving 34% expecting no change to their existing commitments.
Main points coming from the report:
- Increase in spend coming largely from Asian airlines with 75% saying IT budgets will go up - European and North American carriers are below the global average.
- Operating spend on IT in 2010 is around 1.8% of revenue, flat on 2009.
- 40% of airlines have created a "virtual infrastructure environment" - 85% of the total expected by 2013.
- Four out of ten tickets sold directly to customers (26% web, 11% call centre, 4% interlining).
- Direct sales estimated to be 55% by 2013 (38% via the web).
- Agent-hosted check-in to drop from 51% to 29% by 2013.
- Mobile check-in expected to soar from 28% to 70% in 2013.
- One in five airlines have integrated social networking capability to their websites but 45% have no plans to so.
- Mobiles will become part of a "further distribution strategy" for 70% of airlines.
- 18% of airlines can currently sell tickets via a mobile device - 70% expected by 2013.
- Four in five airlines to offer mobile check-in by 2013.
- Three-quarters to have capability to issue mobile electronic boarding passes by 2013.
- By 2013 around 90% of airlines will have implemented one of three ancillary revenue opportunities via their websites (upsell, unbundle, non-air services).
The poll is carried out annually among senior IT personnel working within the top 200 passenger carriers. Of the 129 airlines that responded, 14% are classified as low cost carriers, 81% are full-service carriers, and 5% are charter carriers.