Advanced air mobility operations at Orlando International Airport
DAYTONA BEACH, FLA. – A study by Embry‑Riddle researchers has demonstrated that advanced air mobility (AAM) vehicles, such as air taxis and autonomous aircraft, could be integrated at Orlando International Airport in Florida without disrupting existing commercial air traffic.
The research, published in April in the MDPI journal Aerospace, represents one of the first evaluations of AAM integration at a major U.S. airport, according to the peer-reviewed paper. The study was commissioned by the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA), the public entity that operates and manages Orlando International Airport.
The researchers collaborated with the aviation authority to identify preferred 'corridors' within Orlando International's airspace that could accommodate the integration of AAM aircraft. These futuristic aircraft – capable of vertical takeoff and landing or short takeoff and landing operations – are emerging to transport people or cargo in urban and regional areas.
Using historical air traffic data from one of the airport's busiest days – March 25, 2023 – the researchers employed state-of-the-art modeling software to simulate the effects of AAM integration on potential wake turbulence and air traffic conflicts. The software, known as Total Airspace and Airport Modeler, can simulate existing and redesigned airspace, flight schedules, aircraft paths, wake turbulence, airport ground operations and many other factors. Using this advanced simulation modeling, the study found that operating up to 22 AAM vehicles would result in zero air traffic or wake turbulence conflicts.
The researchers said that the study has established a foundation for other researchers and airport officials to understand the operational impacts and factors of integrating AAM aircraft into the National Airspace System in a safe and controlled environment.
According to the published paper, examining the ramifications of integrating AAM into the current air transportation system is critical due to the potential impact 'on the safety of the traveling public.'
Dr. Victor Fraticelli Rivera, assistant professor of Aeronautical Science, said that the study, conducted at one of the nation's busiest airports, 'offers an opportunity to explore innovative transportation solutions within congested, complex and highly regulated airspace,' adding that 'collaboration with all stakeholders in the aviation and aerospace ecosystem is vital to ensure AAM's sustainable, efficient and safe integration.'
Also involved in the study were Dr. Robert Thomas, associate professor of Aeronautical Science; Carlos Castro Peña, director of operations for Embry‑Riddle's Center for Aerospace Resilient Systems; and Sakurako Kuba, a Ph.D. candidate in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, whose research focuses on aviation and aerospace cybersecurity, air traffic simulation and airspace traffic pattern visualization.
Kuba's role in the project was simulating air traffic using the historical flight data and implementing conceptual AAM configurations at the airport to quantify airspace impact, she said.
'Contributing to real-world challenges in AAM development provides students with valuable exposure to the future of airspace operations,' Kuba said. 'It allows us to grasp the idea of existing airspace management and to better understand how next-gen airspace development is evolving.'
Kuba said collaboration with industry partners and receiving their feedback was also particularly valuable. 'It not only helps us grow professionally but also builds confidence in our skills and prepares us for impactful careers in this emerging field,' she said.
Lance Lyttle, CEO of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, said the study complements an ongoing collaboration with the Federal Aviation Administration's Innovate 28 program, which explores integrating AAM safely into Orlando International's airspace. 'We appreciate the partnership with Embry‑Riddle,' Lyttle said, 'and hope the research will advance connection and innovation within the Central Florida aerospace ecosystem.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Travel Daily News
2 days ago
- Travel Daily News
Google 's AI Mode to transform travel search
Google's AI Mode will soon dominate search, urging travel brands to adapt for AI mentions over clicks or risk losing visibility entirely. Google is moving closer to making AI-first search the default experience – and travel brands must respond now or risk becoming irrelevant. At the core of this shift is AI Mode, a conversational interface that is already live in a separate tab and poised for full integration into Google's main search engine within the next 12 months. Unveiled by Google CEO Sundar Pichai, AI Mode enables dynamic, multi-turn conversations. Instead of presenting a list of links, it delivers personalized, contextual responses – for example, refining results based on follow-up questions like 'Which family tours in Costa Rica are best for kids under 8?' or 'Do they include wildlife experiences?' 'This goes far beyond AI Overview snippets,' says Brennen Bliss, CEO of Propellic, a digital agency specializing in AI-driven strategies for travel brands. 'It's the equivalent of speaking to a personal travel advisor. And it's going to redefine search faster than most anticipate.' The end of top-of-funnel dominance? For years, travel companies have built their marketing around top-of-funnel content such as blogs, guides, and itineraries. These assets fueled SEO rankings, website traffic, and retargeting. AI Mode threatens to upend this model by keeping users within Google's ecosystem through continuous conversation. 'Users won't need to visit multiple websites to compare experiences,' Bliss notes. 'Instead, they'll consult Google's AI, which may surface your brand – or not. In this new model, your content might not drive traffic at all; it may simply train the AI.' Despite the shift, key decisions in travel still require context and trust – areas where conversational AI excels. Users often ask about accessibility, age-appropriateness, weather, or what to pack. AI Mode is tailored for such nuanced journeys. And while the AI may recommend a product – such as a sunset cruise in Santorini – it still cannot complete the booking (yet), though Google's commerce-focused Project Mariner may soon change that. Mentions replace clicks- The industry's focus must now shift from rankings to relevance. 'The goal is no longer to rank #1 – it's to be mentioned and trusted by Google's AI,' explains Bliss. 'Mentions are the new clicks.' For travel brands, this means adapting content and brand positioning to become part of the AI's trusted memory – the internal database of reliable, high-quality references the model repeatedly recommends. Google's cautious but inevitable rollout To mitigate risks to its ad business – which still accounts for nearly 80% of Alphabet's revenue – Google is integrating AI Mode features gradually, only when they show better engagement and monetization. Once the business case is proven, full-scale deployment will accelerate. 'Brands waiting for clarity may be left behind,' warns Bliss. 'Those acting now have a window to establish trust, fine-tune messaging for AI consumption, and position themselves for long-term visibility.' A clear call to action for travel marketers With over 15 million global travel queries per day on Google, the shift to conversational search is already underway. For travel and tourism brands, the priority is clear: adapt strategies, audit content for conversational relevance, and optimize for trust and AI visibility – or risk fading from the discovery journey altogether. In the age of AI-first search, discovery doesn't begin with a click – it begins with a mention.
Travel Daily News
30-06-2025
- Travel Daily News
Ten game-changing e-commerce tools to skyrocket your sales in 2025
Running an e-commerce business today takes more than just uploading products and hoping for sales. With the right tools, you can automate repetitive tasks, gain valuable insights, deliver better customer experiences and most importantly, grow your revenue. The e-commerce world is moving faster than ever. With more competition and smarter consumers, having the right tools in your corner can make all the difference. Whether you're just starting out or looking to scale your online store, the tools you use can help you work smarter, not harder. In this blog, we'll walk you through ten powerful e-commerce tools that are helping online sellers boost sales, improve efficiency and stay ahead in 2025. 1. Shopify – Build and Run Your Store with Ease Shopify remains one of the most popular platforms for setting up an online store. Its ease of use, powerful integrations and range of templates make it ideal for beginners and pros alike. Shopify also supports plugins for inventory, payments, marketing and shipping, so you can manage everything in one place. 2. Klaviyo – Email and SMS Marketing Automation Klaviyo helps you send personalised emails and SMS messages based on customer behaviour. It integrates with your e-commerce platform to track user activity and send targeted campaigns automatically. This kind of automation can significantly improve your conversion rate and keep customers coming back. 3. Jungle Scout – Product Research for Amazon Sellers If you're selling on Amazon, Jungle Scout is a must. It helps you find high-demand, low-competition products by analysing sales data and trends. Jungle Scout also offers supplier sourcing and keyword tools that can save you hours of research. It's especially useful for sellers looking to launch new products or expand into new categories. 4. RepricerExpress – Stay Competitive with Amazon Repricing Staying competitive on Amazon often comes down to price. An intuitive Amazon repricer helps you automatically adjust your prices to stay ahead of the competition. It reacts to changes in the market and updates prices in real time while still protecting your margins. For high-volume sellers, this tool can mean the difference between staying visible and getting buried. 5. Canva – Create Stunning Visuals Without a Designer High-quality visuals can make or break a product listing or ad. Canva is a free, user-friendly tool that lets you design graphics, social media posts, ads and more without needing design experience. With thousands of templates and drag-and-drop features, you can create professional content in minutes. 6. Oberlo (or DSers) – Automate Your Dropshipping Business If you run a dropshipping store, tools like Oberlo or DSers can streamline everything from importing products to fulfilling orders. These tools connect your store to suppliers, allowing you to add products directly and automate the order process. This means fewer errors and more time to focus on marketing and sales. 7. SEMrush – Optimise SEO and Track Your Competitors SEMrush is a powerful tool for anyone serious about SEO. It lets you find the best keywords for your products, track your search rankings and monitor your competitors. By improving your store's visibility in search engines, you'll attract more organic traffic and reduce your reliance on paid ads. 8. Zendesk – Support Your Customers Like a Pro Customer service is critical in building trust and repeat sales. Zendesk helps you manage customer enquiries across email, chat and social media in one place. It also allows you to set up help centres and automate responses to common questions. Faster, better support equals happier customers and more positive reviews. 9. Loox – Boost Trust with Photo Reviews Social proof is one of the most effective ways to convince new visitors to buy. Loox allows customers to leave reviews with photos, giving new buyers a realistic view of what to expect. These photo reviews not only build trust but also provide fresh content that boosts SEO and conversions. 10. Google Analytics 4 – Understand and Optimise Customer Behaviour Data is the key to growth. Google Analytics 4 offers a deep look into how people use your website or app. You can track everything from traffic sources and bounce rates to conversion paths. Knowing where users drop off or what's working well allows you to make smarter business decisions. Running an e-commerce business today takes more than just uploading products and hoping for sales. With the right tools, you can automate repetitive tasks, gain valuable insights, deliver better customer experiences and most importantly, grow your revenue. Tools like a smart Amazon repricer, email automation platforms and product research software aren't just nice to have—they're essential for staying competitive in 2025. Photo by Andras Vas on Unsplash
Travel Daily News
13-06-2025
- Travel Daily News
USTOA brings member delegates to the capitol
NEW YORK – The United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA) escorted a group of more than 50 Active Member tour operators and Associate Members to Washington, D.C., June 3-4, 2025, to advocate for tourism industry issues impacting the industry, from passport and visa processing to adequate funding of Brand USA and the National Park Service , among other urgent topics. 'In the 13th year of the USTOA Congressional Caucus, our advocacy efforts felt more important than ever,' said USTOA President & CEO Terry Dale . 'The Congressional Caucus is a vitally critical forum to engage directly with lawmakers on topics that will ensure the continued success and resilience of our industry and lead us toward a more responsible tourism future.' The morning of June 4 was packed with informative presentations on the 'state of the industry' from a number of industry representatives, including Fred Dixon, president and CEO of Brand USA; Jennifer Aguinaga, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Travel and Tourism and Director, National Travel and Tourism Office; and Emily Douce, Deputy Vice President of Government Affairs for the National Parks Conservation Association. Guest speakers included Andrew Giuliani, executive director of the Presidential Task Force for 2026 FIFA World Cup, who spoke about initiatives to improve visa wait times and approval as the US is set to host this international event, and US Representative Tom Suozzi (D-NY), who provided insights into the top issues facing Congress. A small team of USTOA members met at the office of Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-CA-19). In the afternoon, nine teams of USTOA members visited the Capitol for meetings with leading members of Congress to discuss the core issues. Promoting U.S. tourism abroad with continued funding of Brand USA, urging Congress to fund the administration's Air Traffic Control modernization plan, the impact of tariffs on international and outbound U.S. travel, supporting National Park Service funding and sufficient staffing, encouraging improvement in passport application processing delays, and urging expedited visa processing and backlog reduction are among the topics discussed. Additional conversation included the INVEST in our Communities Act which aims to boost much-needed tourism and economic development in light of the recent drop off in Canadian travel to the US; supporting the DOT-Aviation Consumer Protection; and supporting travel infrastructure including the backing expansion of TSA Pre-check and Global Entry as well as phased enforcement and flexibility for REAL ID until full compliance on May 7, 2027. Dale continued, 'USTOA remains committed to being an advocate for responsible tourism, and these meetings proved to be a highly effective platform to communicate that message to key lawmakers. We have learned that our collective voice does matter and can make a difference. The participation of our members and the members of Congress who took the time to engage in discussions on the issues that matter most to our industry is deeply appreciated.' The Caucus kicked off with an opening night reception and dinner at the Colombian Ambassador 's residence, hosted by Daniel Ávila Camacho, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of Colombia to the United States. Special guest Charlie Sykes, regular contributor to MSNBC and former editor-in-chief of The Bulwark, addressed the group about the importance to stay engaged in politics, among other timely topics.
