In our recent webinar, we gathered a team of industry experts to discuss the evolving landscape of airline operations, focusing on the benefits and challenges of migrating from legacy systems to the cloud.
The session covered a range of topics, including the nature of Irregular Operations (IROPs), strategies for mitigating disruptions, and real-world success stories such as Aer Lingus’s transformation journey. Here’s a quick overview of the key points discussed.
What are IROPs?
Irregular Operations (IROPs) refer to any event that disrupts the normal schedule of airline operations. This can range from minor delays due to weather conditions to significant disruptions like system failures or security threats.
Clare Ward, a global tech leader at AWS, emphasized the everyday nature of these disruptions, noting, “Disruption happens almost every day. Every time you wake up in the morning, the plan that you start with doesn’t quite go to plan”.
Gillian O’Brien, Head of Cloud Infrastructure and Operations at Aer Lingus, added that distinguishing between controllable and uncontrollable disruptions is crucial. “The disruptions that can be mitigated are security and technical issues… The other disruptions are the ones that you can’t mitigate against, like the weather,” she explained.
How to Mitigate and Handle Disruptions
Handling disruptions effectively requires a blend of proactive and reactive strategies. Proactive measures include robust planning and the use of modern technology to predict and mitigate potential issues.
For example, Aer Lingus has improved its incident management by enhancing monitoring and alerting systems. Gillian O’Brien noted, “Our monitoring and alerting has been a key player in our ability to react when things go wrong”.
Andrew Logan, CEO of Amach, highlighted the importance of empowering staff with the right tools and information. “When you put an iPad or Surface Pro into their hands and send them out to your customers, you’re giving them more time to deal with customer service because the tasks are automated”.
From legacy systems to the cloud
Transitioning from legacy systems to embracing the cloud is a complex but rewarding process. Aer Lingus’s journey began with the strategic decision to migrate all operations to the cloud.
This move was driven by the need to modernize and enhance operational efficiency. Gillian O’Brien shared, “We made a strategic decision that we would move everything into cloud… We’re on target for H1 2025 to be entirely in cloud”
The Benefits of Cloud When Delivered Effectively
Embracing the cloud offers numerous benefits, including enhanced security, flexibility, and cost optimization. Clare Ward mentioned how cloud adoption can significantly improve operational efficiency, “The first thing is think about where your data is… Data is the key to unlocking the journey”
Gillian O’Brien illustrated this with a real-world example, “We brought AerLingus.com into its own AWS account in 2019 and within 12 months, we had added 150% new instances but reduced the cost by 40%”
Aer Lingus Success in embracing the Cloud
Aer Lingus’s success story is a testament to the transformative power of the cloud. By moving critical operations to the cloud, the airline has not only improved its operational resilience but also enhanced customer satisfaction. “Aer Lingus has the highest net promoter score in the IAG group… Our digital booking experience has the highest net promoter score,” Gillian O’Brien proudly shared
Conclusion
The insights from our webinar highlight the significant advantages of adopting cloud technology in the airline industry. By effectively managing IROPs, transitioning from legacy systems, and leveraging the benefits of the cloud, airlines can achieve greater operational efficiency and customer satisfaction. As Aer Lingus’s journey shows, the key to success lies in strategic planning, continuous improvement, and the willingness to embrace new technologies.
For more insights and to learn how you can optimize your operations with cloud technology, stay tuned for our upcoming webinars and reach out to our team of experts.
