AIC Talk | Celine Hourcade: Collaboration, the new key to the uncertain future (Part 2)

INTERVIEWER

Do you think the Covid-19 has caused permanent devastation to pax airlines?

Celine Hourcade

Before COVID-19, the aviation industry was projecting that by 2035, the traffic by air would double. Now, IATA predicts a very slow recovery of passenger traffic and might not be back to the pre-covid level by 2024. We don’t have a crystal ball, let along the discovery of vaccine and pandemic evolution increase the uncertainty.  

Covid-19 is causing a global economic recession, which means increase in numbers of bankruptcy and unemployment rates, affecting business and consumers’ confidence. In addition, there is substantial likelihood for middle class to fall back into poverty, resulting in lower air travels than expected hurting the passenger traffic in the long run.

Let’s hope that when this crisis slows down, and the vaccine is discovered, we’ll see the curve pick up again. But until then, the passenger traffic will have quite a long and slow recovery journey to get back to the pre-covid levels.

INTERVIEWER

The burst of the pandemic and restrictions of social distancing alter the pattern of the logistics operation. Do you think drones will embrace a surge? And what are the biggest obstacles in the way of its development?

Celine Hourcade

Drones, as per ICAO’s definition, are unmanned aircraft. As such they need to be certified and operate in a regulated environment.

Using unmanned vehicles in current airspace is a massive change. Today, the international regulatory landscape is not ready. Safety concerns, technology maturity, changes of mindset are also key obstacles to address by international and local regulators and civil aviation authorities. Cultural and social acceptance can also be a concern and slow down the deployment of cargo drones. Not every community is well prepared to embrace unmanned technologies. I bet that will be less of an obstacle in China. But more than ever drones can be a great opportunity: airlines, airports and logistics companies are looking for drones that can contribute to their sustainable strategy and integrate the unmanned aircraft into their products to serve their customers faster and better.

Another obstacle due to the current pandemic is the financial situation of many drone start-ups, running short in cash and endangering their development. I hope the current crisis and economic downturn will not slown down the progress made in the unmanned aviation.

I see China is very active in developing drones vehicles and applications. Key players are seeking opportunities for different sizes of drones. As a result, projects ranging from building new aircraft or converting existing aircraft with pilot into an unmanned aircraft can be found in the country. Governments strongly support the industry. For all the projects I saw in China in the past 15 years, where there is a political will, there is a way to achievements, so I am quite confident that cargo drones business will take off in your country

INTERVIEWER

Today’s young professionals not only take peer pressure but also face fierce competition caused by automation and digitalization. Many are worrying that robots will phase out more and more jobs. In the post-covid “new normal”, what are your suggestions to young adults, especially fresh graduates who seek to engage in the aviation and air cargo industry?

Celine Hourcade

It’s true that in the digital world, some jobs will disappear. It has been a reality in our life now; for example, self-service payment machines have replaced cashiers in the supermarkets. It is no different for airports, airlines and freight forwarders. It’s a natural evolution when we have technological innovations and it is better to prepare to adapt than resist. 10 years ago, there was no such jobs as community manager or social media listener for instance, but they are right now. 

It shows new opportunities are brought by automation and digitalization and new skillsets are needed. To ride on the wave of automation and digitalization, employees must strengthen qualities such as adaptability, flexibility and agility. My recommendation to any youngster joining air cargo: understand the trends affecting the sector, read, learn, adapt, find out your strengths and build on them, find out your weaknesses and address them.   

For platforms like AIC, it is important to hold the right values within your organization and communities to encourage the young talents to develop themselves. On-the-job training and mentorship programs are helpful to cross-generation collaboration in the workplace where the talents from different generations to share experience and knowledge, creating a dynamic atmosphere.