Air transport industry: Advanced data interpretation

A sector with complex and unique challenges

Financial management in the air transport industry presents unique challenges due to the high volume, complexity, and variability of invoices processed daily. An airline with international operations may handle up to 5,000 invoices per month, some reaching 400 pages in length, making it a monumental task that traditional systems struggle to manage efficiently.

Invoices in the aviation sector encompass a wide range of services, from fuel, maintenance, and cleaning to ground handling fees and airport charges. Moreover, they must comply with international regulations, incorporate IATA codes, and adjust to inconsistent measurement units across different countries. Manual management of these documents results in a high risk of errors, additional costs, and a significant operational burden for financial teams.

Key pain points in the aviation sector

Complex and variability in invoices

Aviation invoices lack standardisation. They often consolidate multiple services and charges, with variations in language, company names, and data formats. Common services include:

• Ground handling services (ramp operations, security, baggage handling)
• Aircraft cleaning and maintenance
• Fuel supply and refuelling charges

Advanced data interpretation

Beyond simple data extraction, financial management systems must accurately:

• Identify applicable taxes such as VAT.
• Handling special characteristics.
• Convert between different measurement units (litres, gallons, hectolitres, etc.).

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