Vaughn College, in partnership with the Queens Chamber of Commerce, hosted a panel conversation on Wednesday evening, November 13, with the chief executives of LaGuardia Gateway Partners, the private developer and manager of the brand new LaGuardia Terminal B and JFKIAT, the private developer and manager of Terminal 4 at John F. Kennedy International Airport, on how the use of AI is revolutionizing airport operations. NY1 Transit Reporter Samantha Liebman moderated the conversation.
The conversation on AI comes at a time when multi-billion-dollar airport redevelopments are creating world-class aviation facilities and when new student enrollment at Vaughn College saw a 40 percent increase yearly due to the significant demand and need for aviation professionals. Many Vaughn students intern and eventually work in a variety of capacities at the local airports, including at Terminal B at LaGuardia Airport and JFKIAT’s Terminal 4 at John F. Kennedy International Airport, and experience the different elements of an airport from top to bottom.
Suzette Noble, chief executive officer of LaGuardia Gateway Partners, and Roel Huinink, president and chief executive officer of JFKIAT, both discussed their initial applications of AI, using it for passenger flow management where the terminals can use the data to see how people move within the airport, how long the security checkpoint is, where the dwell times are and how it can improve the passenger experience.
For example, they utilize AI to see that they need to open more security lanes in the early morning hours to keep the lines moving. Another example includes enhancing the safety and security of airport operations, using the data from the airports’ extensive and sophisticated camera systems to understand better what is happening operationally in real-time and respond as needed.
“It’s an exciting time for the aviation industry because the opportunities are endless. With more than one million aviation jobs likely needed over the next decade and as airports see record volumes of passengers, the use of AI and machine learning to manage airport operations, from the employees who run the airport to the mechanics who maintain the planes and the passengers that travel on them will become even more important,” said Dr. Sharon DeVivo, president and chief executive officer of Vaughn College. “Recognizing the need for understanding AI has led Vaughn to develop a computer science bachelor’s degree with AI and cybersecurity concentrations and to integrate courses around AI across all programs. Additionally, we continue to work closely with our local airports, terminal, and industry partners to ensure our students have the skills they need to succeed in their chosen careers and have access to local internship and career opportunities.”
Nobel and Huinink also discussed what passengers don’t necessarily see behind the scenes and how Artificial Intelligence helps with luggage management in reducing the amount of lost luggage, including strollers and wheelchairs. In addition, LaGuardia Terminal B has a digital assistant built within its website to help guests get quick answers to quick questions.
The use of AI and machine learning is also helping to more efficiently manage terminal employees, including LaGuardia Terminal B, where 55 autonomous mobile inspection tables (MITs) help with the screening process where the bags don’t have to be loaded manually, allowing the terminal to redeploy staff to other areas of the airport.
In addition, they discussed how travel from home to the destination will become even more predictable because of AI, which will help not only enhance the guest experience but also more efficiently handle employee training and development, a priority for JFKIAT.
Following the conversation, Vaughn College President Dr. Sharon DeVivo and Tom McFarland of TeamLogic IT hosted a panel discussion with local Queens entrepreneurs from the Queens Chamber of Commerce Technology Committee on the future of AI in aviation and beyond, including Tuvi Cohen, Vice President of LandSkyAI and co-chair of the Queens Chamber’s Technology Committee, Mike Gabour, Founder of The Data Alchemists and Steven McCory from Virtual Guarding.
To learn more about Vaughn College and how it’s preparing the next generation of aviation and engineering professionals and/or to register for the December 7 Open House at Vaughn College, visit www.vaughn.edu.
