Aviation sector adopts digital safety to counter rising threats
Organisations in the aviation sector are turning to digital safety systems in response to increasing pressures, including a sharp rise in cyberattacks and worker exposure to hazardous substances.
Several leading firms have adopted new approaches to environmental, health and safety (EHS) management as part of sector-wide efforts to protect workers and passengers.
Rising risk exposure
The aviation industry has reported a significant increase in cyberattacks, with incidents surging by 600% according to data from Thales. This threat coincides with new findings that aviation workers are exposed to high levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), some of which are classified by the World Health Organisation as carcinogenic. Managing emerging and long-standing hazards has become a top priority for airports, airlines, and support services.
Digital transformation
Safety teams are moving beyond manual procedures and legacy compliance systems. Digital solutions are now central to daily risk management operations.
British Airways Engineering is among the firms using software platforms to streamline risk assessments, particularly concerning hazardous chemicals such as jet fuel, hydraulic oils, cleaning agents, and de-icing fluids.
London Stansted Airport, with a workforce of more than 12,000 and over 500 hazardous materials in use, has digitalised its chemical management processes.
The airport has adopted EcoOnline's COSHH Management software, which supports greater oversight and audit readiness across multiple departments.
Injury rate reductions
Menzies Aviation, a major ground-handling services provider, reported an almost 60% reduction in personal-injury rates since 2022. The company cited improved visibility and control using connected EHS software as key factors in this decline. Liverpool John Lennon Airport has adopted QR-code technology to streamline incident reporting, encouraging more immediate and comprehensive reporting among frontline staff.
Emergency preparedness
Airlines and aviation groups are also digitising emergency response plans to facilitate faster and more coordinated crisis management. Carriers including Vueling and ASL Aviation Holdings are using EcoOnline's D4H software to support emergency teams. Laura Díaz Fernández, Emergency Response Manager at Vueling, said:
"[D4H] has completely transformed the way we manage emergencies. With an intuitive interface, it allows us to carry out complex tasks in chaotic environments in an agile, organised manner. Even under high stress levels, everything flows with greater control and efficiency."
Focus on real-time action
Industry executives argue that rapid and traceable safety responses are critical in aviation environments, where small errors can have serious consequences. Eric Bodenstein, Manager Aviation Safety at FlySafair, said:
"Even a small error in aviation can have major consequences. We don't get the luxury of 'we'll deal with it later' - the response has to be instant, coordinated, and traceable from minute one."
Robin Blanford, SVP, Product at EcoOnline and founder of D4H, said:
"The clear takeaway: outdated, manual systems are no longer enough to stay resilient in today's world. Aviation leaders are showing how connected visibility and real-time alerting are transforming safety from compliance-based routines into proactive systems that protect time, trust, and lives… EcoOnline is focused on helping organisations strengthen real-time readiness and real-world resilience - from the ground to the air."
