Airbus has launched a new aviation data platform in collaboration with Palantir Technologies – pioneers in big-data integration and advanced analytics. Skywise aims to become the single platform of reference used by all major aviation players to improve their operational performance and business results and
to support their own digital transformation.

The system is already improving industrial operations performance throughout Airbus’ industrial footprint and allows now to deliver enhanced aircraft and equipment designs, better service and support offerings based on deeper in-service data insights.

Skywise will provide all users with one single access point to their enriched data by bringing together to aviation data from multiple sources across the industry into one secure cloud-based platform.

These airline sources include: work orders; spares consumption; components data; aircraft / fleet configuration; on-board sensor data; and flight schedules.

Additional data sources which are traditionally shared with Airbus and hosted only on isolated servers will also be integrated into the platform to help operators conduct their own analyses and make decisions based on the full scope of their available data.

These shared sources include: operational interruption history; parts replacements; post-flight reports; pilot reports; aircraft condition monitoring reports; complete on-board aircraft data; technical documentation; technical requests; and service bulletins.

With Skywise, operators of Airbus aircraft will be in a position to leverage the cumulative knowledge of the 20,000 Airbus engineers who have tracked the performance of each individual aircraft over its entire operational life.

Until now, this deep reservoir of expertise was accessible only during the years of development and flight tests through the aircraft entry-into-Service.

Moreover, by integrating their operational, maintenance, and aircraft data into a secure and open platform, airlines will be able to store, access, manage, and analyse selected Airbus data together with their own data and global benchmark data without the need for additional infrastructure investments.

This resulting value will soon give Airbus’ customers new insights at aircraft, fleet, company, and global level.

Marc Fontaine, the Airbus digital transformation officer, commented: “Together with Palantir, we are already realising major business value from data previously hidden within our own operations.

“Now with Skywise we are taking this relationship to the next level by offering its advantages to the aviation industry.

“We’ve seen its power in our own operations, and Airbus is convinced of its huge potential to bring value to our customers and industry partners, as the new ‘beating heart of aviation’.”

The deliverables will be tailored for each user and will include scalable services (such as analytics, apps and APIs) which can be used by Airbus, customers, and suppliers – ensuring complete data continuity with benefits across the entire value chain.

Alex Karp, chief executive, Palantir Technologies, said: “Our relationship began with a focus on Airbus-internal operations – manufacturing, engineering, and services – and we’re expanding now to bring this same analytical acumen directly to airlines.

“The potential for collaboration between the world’s top engineering firm, Airbus, its airline customers, and Palantir’s software is unprecedented.”