Quantcast

American Airlines' IT chief discusses cybersecurity challenges and technological advancements

Qantas launches mammoth Asia flight sale including Bali and Japan
New Update from Air Canada, WestJet, American Airlines, Delta, United, Southwest, Alaska, JetBlue Airways, and Sunwing: Airline Capacity Between Canada and US Slashed as Bookings Plummet Seventy Per Cent
Delta Cuts Two Domestic Routes
United Airlines Technicians Reject ‘Dead on Arrival’ Contract Proposal, Teamsters Say
The State of the Asia Pacific Airline Industry
Spirit Airlines to add Detroit nonstop flight out of Bradley International Airport
Major airline to launch new direct flights from Scotland to North America
Ryanair launches new ‘prime’ membership which saves passengers more than £400 a year
Judge Orders Boeing to Trial on 737 MAX Case
Qantas’ free international Wi-Fi to switch on from next week
The real reason Southwest is charging for bags now
Air France-KLM in ongoing talks with Air Europa on potential stake, CEO says
Frontier Savagely Shades Southwest After They Eliminated Longstanding Free Bag Policy, Sparking Backlash
Frontier Wants You to 'Divorce Your Old Airline' After Southwest Changes
Delta named one of Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies for sustainability initiatives
Passengers escape fiery American Airlines jet in Denver
Delta, American Dive On Slashed Outlooks; But Two Airlines Rally
Competitors are circling Southwest after the airline announced it's going to start charging for checked bags
Exclusive: Dominican Low-Cost Carrier Arajet Wants to Disrupt NYC Market
Boeing deliveries rise 63% in February from a year earlier
Transportation Secretary Duffy Lays Out 10 Ways the FAA Is Working to Upgrade Air Traffic Control and Make Flying Safer
EasyJet pilot Paul Elsworth suspended after flying too close to mountain
Delta Air Lines bets on ‘blended-wing’ flight to reduce emissions
Europe's airlines pivot to bite size M&A deals to limit cost, regulatory burden
Dave Emerson named new CEO of Virgin Australia, replacing Jayne Hrdlicka
Ryanair DELAYS controversial new boarding pass rule to avoid summer chaos
FAA Orders Inspection, Replacement of 737NG Engine Parts
Spirit Adds New Airport, Three Routes
Delta crash passengers should take the $30,000 payment, their lawyers say. Here’s why.
Budget airline launches new cheap flights to one of the UK’s top winter sun destinations
American Airlines' IT chief discusses cybersecurity challenges and technological advancements

Ganesh Jayaram, Chief Digital and Information Officer at American Airlines, faces a significant challenge that keeps him vigilant: cybersecurity. This issue has become more pressing following a ransomware attack on Dallas' servers last year, prompting the city council to allocate approximately $2.7 million for IT security enhancements.

This year, personal data from around 73 million current and former AT&T account holders were leaked on the dark web. For Jayaram's team, this is one of many problems they tackle daily to adapt to the evolving needs of travelers.

American Airlines has developed two major tools to assist its operations: HEAT (Hub Efficiency Analytics Tool) and smart gating. HEAT aids in managing extreme weather events, while smart gating reduces taxi time. The IT team also addresses various questions ranging from payment methods for flights to ensuring baggage reaches connecting flights. Approximately 2,000 employees work at the Fort Worth headquarters and some at American’s Phoenix office. A collaborative "hangar" space supports major IT projects.

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

The Dallas Morning News interviewed Jayaram, who joined American in September 2022, about ongoing challenges and new tools being developed by the airline. This interview has been edited for clarity.

Regarding recent operational disruptions faced by airlines like Alaska Airlines and Southwest Airlines due to technical issues, Jayaram emphasized preparation and quick recovery. “You look for people who have gone through high levels of complexity in their daily work,” he said. He highlighted investments in technology as crucial for building resilience and minimizing downtime.

Jayaram noted that his leadership team reviews incidents weekly to learn from them and implement process changes or technological solutions to prevent recurrence. He mentioned a 30% annual reduction in app outages since 2022 as part of their continuous improvement efforts.

On cybersecurity threats, Jayaram stressed the importance of resilience against both internal changes and external attacks. “We consider ourselves a critical infrastructure to the nation,” he said, adding that vigilance is essential due to increasing sophistication among cybercriminals.

When asked about future technology advancements like AI and the metaverse, Jayaram acknowledged their potential but emphasized privacy concerns and regulatory constraints. He pointed out that American Airlines has been using AI for years to manage complex operations involving thousands of flights daily.

Discussing peak travel seasons, Jayaram reiterated that preventing technology-related disruptions is paramount. “What keeps me awake at night is to ensure that technology is not the cause for our operation’s underperformance or for our customers having a poor experience,” he stated.

He concluded by highlighting rigorous testing of system resiliency during critical periods and close collaboration with vendors to maintain smooth operations during peak travel times.

___

©2024 The Dallas Morning News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Organizations Included in this History
More News

London Heathrow, recognized as Europe's busiest airport, will soon experience an increase in its flight offerings by Oman Air.

Sep 2, 2025

Minneapolis–St. Paul International Airport will commence safety and airfield improvement projects on Runway 12R-30L in two distinct phases throughout 2025.

Aug 22, 2025

Delta Air Lines is adjusting its service between Atlanta and Anchorage, extending flights beyond the summer travel season to a year-round offering.

May 15, 2025

In December 2022, Southwest Airlines faced a major crisis as operational challenges led to the cancellation of 16,900 flights, affecting nearly two million passengers during a peak travel period.

Apr 19, 2025

Harrison Ford, an acclaimed actor known for roles such as Han Solo in "Star Wars" and Indiana Jones, is also a noted aviation enthusiast.

Apr 19, 2025

Iberia Airlines has confirmed a notable shift in its flight schedule connecting Madrid and Dallas/Fort Worth, introducing its first overnight service from Europe to the US.

Apr 19, 2025