In aviation, data security and traceability can help to save people’s lives. Blockchain-centric workflows can make aircraft maintenance transparent, verify that a pilot’s license is active, and much more. One of the most important things which blockchain can guarantee is that no facts will be concealed from the public in case of any violations.
This post unveils the blockchain opportunities in making aviation more transparent and secure.
No Secrets, No Manipulations
The structure of blockchain assumes that the chain of data is built block by block, with every new element inheriting the already existing information. This approach makes data holistic and transparent. Once it is recorded, it can’t be changed or deleted.
The benefits for aviation
- It’s possible that airlines may hide some accusatory facts in case of any problems with an aircraft. Blockchain doesn’t allow manipulating or deleting data. In addition, blockchain can make all the required details public through blockchain-powered smart contracts in case of an incident.
- As every transaction inherits data about sold tickets, blockchain successfully deals with the tickets' double-selling problem.
- Right now, airlines’ customers are responsible for managing their personal loyalty accounts by themselves. It means that there’s no guarantee that the rule ‘one customer - one account’ is followed. Blockchain can immediately verify whether a person already has an account and prevent the creation of a new one.
No Hacking, No Hijacking
Blockchain is inherently decentralized. It means that instead of a central storage, all each node in a chain keeps all the data. This makes it almost impossible to crack data stored on a blockchain.
The benefits for aviation
- To prevent leaks, airlines need to make sure that personal data about their passengers and employees is secure. As data is decentralized, hackers would need to crack all the chain’s nodes simultaneously in order to steal or forge data, which is a close-to-impossible scenario. At its most, this is what can prevent hijacking.
Focus on Traceability
Blockchain ensures data transparency and reliability with its particular approach to validating records. To make any new transaction or to change previously entered data, blockchain requires its members to confirm such actions.
Various blockchains approach this differently. For example, the genEOS blockchain ecosystem requires approval from 21 witnesses randomly chosen within its network.
The benefits for aviation
- It’s not uncommon in aviation to have the same data coming from different sources. For example, let’s take flight details. Once a flight is over, the pilot records all the details. Airlines are obliged to do the same. But what if these details don’t match? Blockchain will act as a digital ledger and notify instantly on any discrepancy.
- Each pilot’s experience is recorded to a logbook, which includes all the information about the flights taken, too. Imagine a situation when a pilot wants to change her workplace. In this case, it could be quite difficult for the new employer to ask for a logbook or to confirm all the records using traditional methods Blockchain would make such information much more accessible.
- Blockchain-powered software traces any alterations to its records and can alert about any violations instantly. For example, a pilot with an expired license will never be allowed on board.
- Data traceability assists in maintaining airplanes and keeping all the repair and overhaul details proper. Blockchain-based applications can track what was repaired and changed, where the spare parts came from, their serial numbers, certificates, and more.
- In the light of highly paid forfeits, effective time management becomes crucial. Responsibilities need to be properly assigned, and the entire aircraft overhauling process should be managed within the deadlines. Blockchain allows verifying all the records and delivering accurate updates to all the authorized members immediately.
Final Points
- The structure of blockchain guarantees data reliability. This can be used in the airline-to-public communication, preventing double-selling tickets and managing loyalty schemes.
- Being decentralized, blockchain-based software is difficult to hack, which protects airlines from potential data leaking and hijacking risks.
- As all the records are witnessed by blockchain members, the technology guarantees immutability and traceability of such information. It is important for tracking maintenance, repair, and overhaul details of airplanes.