How AI Can Help Manage Your FBO

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iIMAGE CREDIT: andrey popov/GETTY IMAGES

The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance operations is fast becoming an essential element in running a more successful enterprise, and a savvy approach to operating a well-managed FBO.

In today’s FBO environment, both established, as well as new software solutions are being offered that utilize AI to improve and (in some cases) automate FBO tasks to help increase performance as well as efficiency. 

AI Software integrated into the fabric of the FBO operation has several advantages to include:

  • Optimizing fueling operations for faster usage reporting by customer aircraft tail numbers while keeping track of fuel inventories in real time

  • Improving hangar utilization and safety for a better return on capital investments

  • Refining the task of creating aircraft maintenance estimates

  • Managing just-in-time aircraft parts inventories

  • Honing quick turns by factoring in variables like weather, ramp conditions and staffing requirements

  • Enhancing the customer experience with intelligent Customer Relationship Management (CRM) integration

  • Upgrading GSE (Ground Support Equipment) maintenance efficiency with the ability to predict potential failures

  • Creating a safer work environment through better hazard and event reporting to support a strong Safety Management System (SMS)

As AI makes advances into the FBO arena, traditional boundary lines between the “back office” (accounting and billing) and the “front office” (ramp operations) are becoming less distinctive and increasingly integrated. Through AI driven software, companywide systems can communicate seamlessly with each other and, in the process, help speed up the customer interface process.

For example, AI driven software can digitally capture fuel volume data from onboard refueler metering systems to help produce accurate customer invoicing in real time. Coupled with fuel meters at the fuel farm, FBO personnel can more accurately view fuel inventory to help time deliveries and speed up the ordering process.

When it comes to stacking hangars and maximizing rentable space, AI is being used to help facilitate the process along with adding safety to hangar movements through installed tracking devices to ensure proper aircraft separation as well as avoiding contact with hangar structure. The same is true for automating complex aircraft maintenance quotes and to facilitate just-in-time parts purchases.

On the ramp, FBOs are able to use the benefits of AI to improve efficiency through better staff scheduling, factoring in variables like weather and ramp conditions during quick turns. AI can also improve the customer experience by keeping track of historical preferences to ensure accuracy of items such as catering, dietary restrictions, ground transportation preferences and galley stocking needs.

AI driven software can also be used to monitor GSE equipment to analyze and predict potential failures to help minimize costly repairs and equipment downtime.

Another critical area for the use of an AI driven software program is in the reporting process and the gathering of data for Safety Management Systems (SMS). Hazard events can be captured by employees and electronically reported into a system where the Safety Manager can analyze the report, assign a level of safety risk, complete a root cause analysis and update Safety Performance Indicators (SPIs) and Safety Performance Targets (SPTs).

FBOs should be aware that having an SMS in place may become an FAA mandate in the future. Currently, all operating commercial airlines must have an SMS in place and Part 135 Charter operators are to have an SMS in place by May of 2027. We highly recommend adopting a safety program like IS-BAH which incorporates an SMS component.

At this point in time, AI is still in the infancy stage when it comes to ways to transform the FBO Industry operating environment. Already, autonomous tugs are being developed and plans are underway for surveillance drones to help secure the airport operations area. If you can imagine or contemplate the many needs for AI applications in the FBO environment, just wait, it will be available sooner than you think.

Please leave any comments you have about this blog post below. If you have any questions, please send us an email: John Enticknap, jenticknap@bellsouth.net,  Ron Jackson, ronjacksongroup@gmail.com,

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