Data and digitisation is set to be a defining theme of Aviation Festival Asia 2026. Internet access has accelerated rapidly across APAC in the past decade, with China, Malaysia, and South Korea now among the most connected countries in the world.
Despite these advances. dependence on legacy technology could prove a key factor in deciding which airlines rise to the top in aviation’s largest and most dynamic market. Mandeep Grewal, CEO and Founding Partner at Flyaway Advisors, believes that harnessing data to provide effective digital communications is just as essential as providing a top inflight experience.
In Asia, we have some tremendous airlines that do an incredible job from a service standpoint in the air. But the reality is we know that things break down. Sometimes, there are disruptions to operations. How you leverage the digital technology and communicate with customers is where the opportunity lies.
But when adopting a digital-first strategy, the opportunity for error is significant. Grewal advises airlines to think strategically about how they can deploy their data for maximum impact.
The reality is there’s so much information out there, but it’s about how you use that information, whether for internal purposes to enable your employees to do a better job, or to communicate with customers.
Underpinning data and digitisation from a passenger point of view is personalisation. Customers expect businesses to know something about them and include it in any product offer. Some airlines are progressing faster than others in this area, and this comes from an effective understanding of the data they have and how it can be leveraged to deepen relationships with passengers. Grewal adds:
The airlines that are doing personalisation really well have figured out how to take the information they have and truly take care of customers when they need it.
Developing an app that combines the necessary functional features with personalised touches could help an airline stand out in APAC’s crowded market. As a judge at Aviation Festival Asia’s Battle of the Airline Apps, Grewal is on the lookout for a product that can address customer issues fast and provide information in a simple, usable format.
Innovation in the future is all about creativity. It’s about speed. It’s about ease of communication. How quickly can I use the app to book my next big vacation? And how quickly can it get a problem resolved if there’s any issues?
With data and digitisation at the forefront of APAC innovation, airlines need to be having conversations that can drive effective change.
Join us at Aviation Festival Asia 2026, where Mandeep Grewal will be moderating the Air Experience track and judging the Battle of the Airline Apps.
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