Kai WaehnerThe airline industry runs on thin margins, strict schedules, and high customer expectations. Every delay, every miscommunication, and every system lag impacts passenger experience and operational efficiency. That’s why airlines are turning to real-time data streaming to gain the speed and situational awareness they need. This post explores how Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, is using data streaming with Apache Kafka and Flink to power real-time decisions in its complex airline operations. It summarizes the presentation at the Data Streaming World Tour in Dubai and adds context from the broader aviation sector.
Join the data streaming community and stay informed about new blog posts by subscribing to my newsletter and follow me on LinkedIn or X (former Twitter) to stay in touch. And make sure to download my free book about data streaming use cases, including success stories around Apache Kafka and Flink at Lufthansa and Schiphol Group (Amsterdam Airport).
Data Streaming in the Aviation Industry
Aviation runs on real-time events. Every delay, weather change, or passenger update matters. Traditional systems are slow and disconnected. Airlines and airports need real-time visibility and fast decision-making. This is where data streaming makes the difference.
Leading aviation companies are already using Confluent’s Data Streaming Platform to solve these challenges:
- Cathay Pacific built a real-time passenger operations platform. Changes in a flight are reflected instantly across customer apps, crew tools, and baggage systems. This improves service recovery and passenger satisfaction.
- Virgin Australia uses streaming to automate operations and improve disruption handling. Kafka connects departments, while governance and security ensure control at scale.
- Lufthansa Group adopted an event-driven architecture across its brands. This modernized its IT backbone, improved scalability, and supports future innovations.
- Schiphol Airport uses Kafka and Flink to manage passenger flows and coordinate services. Real-time insights help reduce wait times and improve airport operations.
These stories show the value of data streaming in aviation. Faster decisions. Better service. Less complexity.
Etihad Airways is now part of this group. Their use of complex event processing takes real-time operations to the next level. The next section explores how.
Etihad Airways: A Leading Global Airline
Etihad Airways was founded in 2003 and is based in Abu Dhabi. The airline connects the UAE (United Arab Emirates) capital to over 100 destinations across more than 40 countries.
Etihad operates a modern fleet of over 100 aircraft, carrying 16.1 million passengers in the first half of 2025 alone. With revenue over 13.5 billion AED (3.7 billion USD), and strong growth in both passenger and cargo segments, the airline is recognized for safety, punctuality, and service quality.
Etihad’s strategy looks to 2030 with clear priorities: network expansion, innovation, and sustainability. Its business model blends premium service with operational efficiency, supported by strong airline partnerships around the globe.
But global reach brings complexity. From managing crews and flights to dealing with weather and airport operations, the airline business needs fast, informed decision-making. Etihad recognized the limits of traditional systems and made the move to real-time data streaming.
From Data Lag to Data Flow: Etihad’s Journey with Confluent
At the Data Streaming World Tour in Dubai, Rajeev Nair from Etihad Airways shared how the airline is transforming operations with real-time data streaming. Below is a summary of the key elements from that story.
The Challenge: Operational Complexity
Airline operations are dynamic and time-sensitive. Flight schedules, crew assignments, passenger needs, weather, maintenance, and airport data all change constantly.
Traditional IT systems are mostly batch-driven and siloed. Integrations are message-based, slow, and reactive. This creates a lack of situational awareness, especially during disruptions.
Etihad needed a new approach: continuous data flow, real-time processing, and fast decisions.
As Rajeev Nair put it:
“Our challenge was to move from reactive to proactive — from data lag to data flow.”
Building the Backbone: Real-Time Event Processing
Etihad partnered with Confluent to build a scalable and secure data streaming backbone. The architecture includes Apache Kafka and Apache Flink to collect, process, and distribute data in real time. Etihad uses Confluent Cloud as a fully managed SaaS solution to focus on business outcomes and accelerate time to market.
Operational systems act as producers and consumers of events. Kafka ensures reliable data delivery. Flink performs complex event processing (CEP), analyzing multiple event streams simultaneously.
Examples include:
- Crew changes
- Flight status updates
- Passenger data
- Aircraft maintenance updates
The platform detects patterns and turns raw events into actionable business insights.
Key Use Case: Real-Time Disruption Awareness
One of the most powerful use cases is handling flight disruptions.
Imagine a delayed flight. The event stream from the flight management system triggers a CEP process. Passenger booking data is joined in real time. The platform correlates the delay with passenger itineraries and loyalty status. It creates alerts for service recovery teams.
This enables:
- Instant passenger notifications
- Rebooking assistance
- Meal vouchers or hotel arrangements
All while the delay is still unfolding.
The Impact: Faster, Smarter Decisions
The benefits of real-time data streaming at Etihad are clear:
- Operational visibility: Unified view across systems
- Faster disruption response: Reduced manual interventions
- Better passenger experience: Timely, personalized communication
- Foundation for AI: Real-time data fuels predictive and intelligent applications
Etihad is building an event-driven architecture that is scalable, future-proof, and ready for AI.
Data Streaming: The Mission-Critical Control Tower for Modern Airlines
Etihad Airways shows how airlines can turn operational complexity into competitive advantage. Data streaming enables real-time awareness, smarter decisions, and better service.
The core value lies in making events actionable — immediately and across the organization.
Etihad’s use cases highlight the power of real-time processing:
- Disruption management
- Passenger service personalization
- System integration across operations
Other opportunities in aviation are just as promising:
- B2B partners: Integrated cargo tracking, maintenance data sharing
- Sustainability: Real-time fuel and route optimization
- Loyalty programs: Contextual engagement based on travel events
- Airports: Real-time gate allocation, security flow monitoring
- Hotels: Personalized guest offers during travel disruption
Etihad’s success story is a strong example of data streaming in action. It speaks clearly to IT executives: this is not just about technology, it is about resilience, efficiency, and customer trust.
Real-time data is no longer a luxury. In aviation, it’s a necessity.
Join the data streaming community and stay informed about new blog posts by subscribing to my newsletter and follow me on LinkedIn or X (former Twitter) to stay in touch. And make sure to download my free book about data streaming use cases, including success stories around Apache Kafka and Flink at Lufthansa and Schiphol Group (Amsterdam Airport).
