Singapore air cargo handler SATS is adopting artificial intelligence and immersive simulators to modernize training and prepare staff for the future of aviation, reports Taiwan's Central News Agency.

The company is working with universities and polytechnics to develop tools replicating real-world airport operations, including rare scenarios. A new learning centre is planned to integrate augmented and virtual reality into training.

SATS Singapore Hub CEO Henry Low said the workforce must adapt to new ways of learning. He emphasised that future workers will rely on technology rather than decades of apprenticeship to navigate dynamic environments.

The initiatives come ahead of the opening of Terminal 5 in the mid-2030s, which is expected to redefine airport operations with automation. SATS has launched its Hub Handler of the Future programme to make ground handling safer and smarter.

In August, SATS opened a cargo facility with a drive-through concept that cuts processing times by up to 20 per cent. Digitisation is streamlining manual processes, enabling higher volumes without increasing workload.

A July report warned that up to 30 per cent of aviation jobs could be redesigned within five years due to AI. SATS has already redefined 11 roles, including cargo coordination and customer service, and is considering changes in engineering with autonomous vehicles.