AirWorld – Door2Door

The AirWorld project is investigating how AI-supported services can enable a seamless door-to-door aviation experience. The aim is to make the first/last mile attractive and environmentally friendly for travellers. By removing systemic barriers – in baggage transport, information, booking and accessibility – sustainable intermodal travel chains are to be made more attractive.

Client: BMK – TAKE OFF Call for proposals 2023

Duration: 01.09.2024 – 31.08.2025

Project partners: netwiss OG, Austrian Airlines, Vienna Airport, ÖBB PV AG, TU Vienna – Institute for Transport Sciences, FH JOANNEUM Graz – Department of Aviation, N+P Experience Design, Austrian Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired

Project description:

Air travellers face considerable hurdles when using sustainable transport to the airport: cumbersome baggage handling, unclear information and booking systems, uncertainty in the event of delays, and a lack of accessible services. Partnerships such as AIRail offer partial solutions, but there is no end-to-end door-to-door experience. Many travellers therefore prefer short-haul flights or cars. AirWorld aims to close these acceptance gaps with the help of modern AI technologies.

The project is divided into the following steps

AP1 – Project management: overall coordination, quality assurance, dissemination.

AP2 – Networking: workshops and focus groups with passengers, airlines, railways, public transport operators and tourism.

WP3 – Pain point analysis: investigation of reasons for non-use of sustainable mobility options.

WP4 – Benchmark & gap analysis: Identification of existing services, gaps and potential for improvement.

WP5 – Service and system design: Development of concepts for AI-supported services and systems.

AP6 – Technology analysis: Examination of modern technologies (especially AI) for their applicability in service concepts.

AP7 – Potential analysis: Assessment of new customer groups and shift effects.

Expected results are:

– Comprehensive analysis of barriers in intermodal travel chains

– Design of AI-supported, end-to-end door-to-door services

– Measures to improve baggage handling, information, booking and deviation management

– Increased acceptance of sustainable arrival and departure options for air travel

– Basis for further technological and organisational developments

AirWorld is the first project to comprehensively investigate AI technologies for optimising door-to-door travel chains in aviation. Particularly novel are concepts for same-day baggage delivery, virtual concierge services for navigation and booking, and end-to-end escort services for PRMs and unaccompanied minors. The project provides the basis for a sustainable transformation of air travel. Airlines save on loss-making feeder flights, railways and airports increase their attractiveness, and travellers benefit from more comfortable and reliable travel chains.

Contact: DI Dr. Bernhard Rüger