During our 2022 Converge edition, Globant explored how connections are reinvented on different levels today. These transformations involve how we connect with ourselves, the world, and the future.
Converge offered exclusive content, highlights, and sessions to explore these different connections and their impact on industries, technology, and innovation. Among these sessions was connecting the world in a kind and sustainable way from the perspective of the airline industry, with Gonzalo Cadenas, VP of technology at Globant, Elena Morettini, Global Head of Sustainable Business at Globant, and Lucas Najun, Global Director of Healthcare Life Sciences reinvention studio. Read on to discover this conversation’s recap.
A greener airlines industry connects us to a cleaner future
According to Gonzalo Cadenas, the pledge from Globant is to reinvent air travel through kindness towards people and the planet. Coming out of the pandemic, people have returned to air travel sooner than expected, creating a surge in travel demand and stressing the operations of airlines and airports. Technology and digital tools are essential for airlines to build back the capability to serve travelers. And free them from unnecessary stress, anxiety, and overwhelming. These are some existing solutions that are ready for mass adoption: Biometrics and document scanners to fast-pass migrations and security; Auto-check-in and self-bag tags to eliminate delays at counters; Proactive flight, airport & traffic conditions to prepare ahead and avoid jams; AI Assistants to simplify communication with the airline eliminating the need of making long calls to the contact center.
Regarding the planet, there’s the possibility to create a more sustainable way of traveling that is also kinder to the environment. The current global commercial emissions are almost one gigaton of CO2 and may reach two gigatons by 2050. The International Air Transport Association has committed to reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
To reach this goal, Gonzalo shares the following areas considered to reach this goal:
- Infrastructure and operations
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- Improved aerodynamics and the application of new technologies, such as sustainable aviation fuel. Aviation fuel today accounts for 65% of the CO2 of the industry’s carbon footprint.
- Performance-based navigation
- Innovation in lightweight and equipment
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- Green operations in the airport. Utilizing solar energy, for example.
- Offsetting and carbon capture. This can be applied today and includes forest protection, reforestation, and direct air carbon sequestration.
At Globant, we use a Digital Twin technology called “sustAIn” as a path towards sustainability. This technology allows any business to replicate its infrastructure and run test cases and simulations to calculate the impact it will have on the environment, taking into account the value chain and how much it will contribute to the carbon footprint. It allows companies to adjust and improve to focus on having a net-zero goal and being sustainable.
During the session, Gonzalo mentioned that consumers are driving the industry and expect to see more green initiatives and clean technologies from the airline industry to tackle climate change and take action.
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