Commercial Aviation Innovation: Evolution, Support Factors, Problems and Obstacles

Abstract

The year 2014 marked the 100^th anniversary of commercial aviation business. All these years, the aviation industry has continually developed its innovation process in many areas, especially in terms of advanced aviation technology and efficient passenger services.The goal of aviation industry is to pursue a thriving business with the main task of providing transportation services by using aircrafts.The income of the business primarily comes from air fares, cargo, mail,and air freight.  In this manner, commercial aviation innovation means changes of concepts, methods and forms of business operation ofcommercial aviation due to changing aviation atmosphere.At present, there are several kinds of aviation innovation that comprise aircraft technologyinnovation,productinnovation, serviceinnovation and managementinnovation. In Thailand, the new commercial aviation innovation has been adopted and applied to fit in with the local environment. The factors that facilitate the commercial aviation innovation in Thailand are high competition in aviation industry, promotion of more freedom of airspace, needs of passengers, technologydevelopment, involvementof the government sector, and inclusion of environmental conservation awareness. However, the obstacles of commercial aviation innovation in Thailand come fromvolatile political situation, personnel shortage in aviation business,

passenger’s behavior as well as regional and global economic situations. The development of aviation innovationsis a very importantstrategy to compete in the aviation industry at present andin the future.