Skywise: How Airbus Is Transforming Aviation Through Big Data

31/03/2025 M.Durgut 75 Views Big data, Skywise

In an era where data drives decisions, the aviation industry is undergoing a digital transformation. At the forefront of this change is Skywise, a powerful aviation data platform developed by Airbus, in partnership with Palantir Technologies. More than just a tool, Skywise is an integrated ecosystem that helps airlines, MRO providers, and OEMs unlock actionable insights from complex aircraft data.

What Is Skywise? Company Structure & Vision

Skywise is a product of Airbus’ digital transformation program, launched in 2017. It was developed in collaboration with Palantir Technologies, a Silicon Valley-based software company specializing in big data analytics.

Airbus leads the aviation domain knowledge and provides access to operational, manufacturing, and engineering data from its global fleet.
Palantir powers the back-end with its advanced data integration and analytics infrastructure (based on Palantir Foundry).

Skywise is now considered the “central nervous system” of Airbus’ data ecosystem and is being adopted across the global aviation landscape.

What Skywise Does: A Deep Dive into Features

Skywise aggregates and analyzes data from various sources to create a unified, intelligent platform. Here’s what it brings to the table:

1. Predictive Maintenance

Aircraft generate terabytes of data per flight. Skywise captures sensor data and uses AI and machine learning to predict failures before they occur, allowing for:

Reduced unscheduled maintenance
Lowered AOG (Aircraft on Ground) incidents
Better parts planning and inventory control

2. Fleet Performance Monitoring

Skywise allows real-time and historical monitoring of an airline’s entire fleet. Performance anomalies, environmental impacts, and fuel efficiency trends can be tracked and compared across aircraft types and routes.

3. Maintenance & Engineering Optimization

Streamlines work order management and technical logbook entries
Centralizes technical records
Allows engineers to detect recurring issues and plan long-term fixes

4. Secure Data Sharing & Collaboration

One of Skywise’s greatest strengths is its ability to foster collaborative analytics between:

Airlines
OEMs (like Airbus)
MROs
Lessors and regulatory bodies

Through secure cloud architecture and access control, stakeholders can share insights while maintaining data ownership and privacy.

Bringing Data Analysis to the Airline Industry – Skywise, image source

Industry Impact: Why Skywise Matters

Skywise isn’t just a software product—it’s a strategic enabler for the aviation industry’s shift toward data-driven operations.

For Airlines:

Fewer delays and cancellations
More reliable fleet availability
Cost savings via optimized maintenance cycles

For MRO Providers:

Improved workforce allocation
Streamlined inspection and documentation
Predictable parts demand and logistics

For Airbus:

Continuous improvement in aircraft design and manufacturing
Feedback loops from real-world data
Strengthened customer relationships through value-added services

Real-World Adoption

As of today, over 140 airline operators and thousands of aircraft are connected to Skywise. Key users include:

EasyJet: Reduced delays and improved dispatch reliability using predictive maintenance.
AirAsia: Integrated Skywise into its digital operations for smarter decision-making.
Delta TechOps: Uses Skywise for technical operations and reliability improvement.

What’s Next for Skywise?

Airbus continues to expand Skywise’s capabilities with:

Digital twins of aircraft components
Integration with IoT and edge devices
Enhanced AI for autonomous maintenance planning
Skywise Core and Skywise Predictive Analytics tailored for third-party developers

Final Thoughts: A Paradigm Shift in Aviation

Skywise represents a paradigm shift in how the aviation world approaches operations, engineering, and performance. By merging traditional aviation expertise with next-generation data technology, Airbus has not only modernized its own processes but also empowered the entire industry to fly smarter, safer, and more efficiently.