IBM has an insightful feature encouraging airlines to adopt new business models so that the aviation industry can survive in these tough times.

“Airlines and airports face escalating costs, revenue growth constraints and an increasingly dissatisfied customer base. By offering passengers a highly differentiated experience and simultaneously enhancing its operational efficiency, the aviation industry can position itself to become and remain profitable in a volatile business climate. To accomplish this, we believe the industry should adopt a new business model that combines distinctive customer services, a flexible infrastructure and greater collaboration, among partnering airlines and between airlines and airports.”

Topics discussed include: Self-service kiosks,  improved baggage handling, better security (some of this stuff actually scares me like the RFID chips…yikes), and building more intelligent airports.