The Future of Digitalization in the Aviation Industry: Trends and Academic Approaches

Engin Karafakıoğlu

doi:10.30518/jav.1781183

The Future of Digitalization in the Aviation Industry: Trends and Academic Approaches

Abstract

As leadership and management styles evolve in the age of artificial intelligence, industries are rapidly evolving and developing. Natural language models, big data, and advances in information technology that shape this modern era are enhancing areas such as operational efficiency, safety, ground services, and air services in the aviation sector, thereby strengthening decision support processes. This study was conducted to fill gaps in the literature and guide future research by presenting the quantity and quality of studies on digitalization in aviation between 2005 and 2025 using visual network maps. To this end, studies on digitalization in the aviation sector were identified in the Social Sciences Citation Index, Science Citation Index Expanded, Emerging Sources Citation Index, Conference Proceedings Citation Index – Science, Social Science & Humanities, and Book Citation Index – Science, and their quantity and quality were evaluated. Data extracted from the Web of Science database was analyzed using bibliometric methods with R. The results obtained by searching for the concepts “Aviation” and “Digitalization” were interpreted. A total of 82 studies found in the Web of Science database between 2005 and 2025 were accessed. Of these works, 51 were articles, 28 were abstracts, 2 were editorial materials, and 1 was a book chapter. The analysis revealed that the year with the highest number of studies was 2024, with 17 articles. Digitalization in aviation is a current concept, and its increasing coverage in the international literature each year is expected to make significant contributions to the digital future of the sector.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Business Administration

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Engin Karafakıoğlu ^*
0000-0002-8308-4347
Türkiye

Early Pub Date

February 27, 2026

Publication Date

February 27, 2026

Submission Date

September 10, 2025

Acceptance Date

January 19, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 10 Number: 1

DOI

https://doi.org/10.30518/jav.1781183

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA93MX47YU

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Karafakıoğlu, E. (2026). The Future of Digitalization in the Aviation Industry: Trends and Academic Approaches. Journal of Aviation, 10(1), 103-115. https://doi.org/10.30518/jav.1781183

AMA

1.Karafakıoğlu E. The Future of Digitalization in the Aviation Industry: Trends and Academic Approaches. JAV. 2026;10(1):103-115. doi:10.30518/jav.1781183

Chicago

Karafakıoğlu, Engin. 2026. “The Future of Digitalization in the Aviation Industry: Trends and Academic Approaches”. Journal of Aviation 10 (1): 103-15. https://doi.org/10.30518/jav.1781183.

EndNote

Karafakıoğlu E (February 1, 2026) The Future of Digitalization in the Aviation Industry: Trends and Academic Approaches. Journal of Aviation 10 1 103–115.

IEEE

[1]E. Karafakıoğlu, “The Future of Digitalization in the Aviation Industry: Trends and Academic Approaches”, JAV, vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 103–115, Feb. 2026, doi: 10.30518/jav.1781183.

ISNAD

Karafakıoğlu, Engin. “The Future of Digitalization in the Aviation Industry: Trends and Academic Approaches”. Journal of Aviation 10/1 (February 1, 2026): 103-115. https://doi.org/10.30518/jav.1781183.

JAMA

1.Karafakıoğlu E. The Future of Digitalization in the Aviation Industry: Trends and Academic Approaches. JAV. 2026;10:103–115.

MLA

Karafakıoğlu, Engin. “The Future of Digitalization in the Aviation Industry: Trends and Academic Approaches”. Journal of Aviation, vol. 10, no. 1, Feb. 2026, pp. 103-15, doi:10.30518/jav.1781183.

Vancouver

1.Engin Karafakıoğlu. The Future of Digitalization in the Aviation Industry: Trends and Academic Approaches. JAV. 2026 Feb. 1;10(1):103-15. doi:10.30518/jav.1781183