As American Airlines celebrates a record-breaking 7.8 million customers traveling during the Thanksgiving holiday, the airline is leveraging the power of machine learning to optimize operational efficiency. The newly implemented Smart Gating technology, developed by American’s Information Technology and Operations teams, aims to streamline taxi times, reduce ramp congestion, and expedite the arrival of aircraft at gates.
The technology employs real-time flight information and other data points to automatically assign arriving aircraft to the nearest available gate with the shortest taxi time. Initially tested at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) in 2021, Smart Gating has already proven its effectiveness. At DFW, the tool has successfully reduced aircraft taxi times by 20%, equating to approximately two minutes per flight. This accumulates to a remarkable daily reduction of over 11 hours spent on taxiing.
Anne Moroni, American’s Vice President of Operations Planning and Performance, highlighted the importance of the technology in driving operational improvement. "Saving precious time on the ground ensures more customers make their connections, and we use our resources efficiently," Moroni stated.
American Airlines has expanded the deployment of Smart Gating technology to its hubs at Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT), Miami International Airport (MIA), Washington Reagan National Airport (DCA), and Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD). Tailored to meet the specific needs of each operation, the technology has demonstrated significant benefits.
At DCA, where ramp space is limited, Smart Gating reduced instances of aircraft waiting at the gate due to blockages by 70%. In CLT, the tool decreased aircraft taxi time by nearly a minute per flight and eliminated 11% of on-the-ground gate changes.
Sumit Batra, Managing Director of Operations Performance and Analytics at American, praised Smart Gating as a "game changer" at their large hubs, emphasizing its role as another example of the airline's continuous focus on innovation.
Beyond operational improvements, Smart Gating has environmental benefits. By reducing the total time aircraft spend taxiing by 17 hours each day, the technology saves an estimated 1.4 million gallons of jet fuel annually — enough to fill up 29 Boeing 777-300 aircraft. Additionally, Smart Gating contributes to a reduction of over 13,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually, aligning with American Airlines' commitment to sustainability.
