Aviation Software Startups to Watch

Aviation is a careful industry. Change is slow, and rules are strict. Even so, young software companies keep arriving, and many of them aim at real problems like paper records, slow ground work and unclear costs.

We looked through the 1,323 software companies in The Flying Engineer directory. This guide picks 13 that say they were founded in 2020 or later. We read each company page and its website. Each summary below uses only what those pages say.

The list is in no particular order. It is not a ranking. It is a starting point for anyone who wants to see what new aviation software looks like.

Ground operations and airfield tools

Moonware was founded in 2020 and is based in Eugene, United States. It builds software for ground operations at airfields. Its main product is HALO, a ground traffic control system. HALO tracks ground equipment, people and aircraft in real time, and it handles tasks like resource planning and billing records.

Avitium GmbH was founded in 2021 and is based in Austria. It makes cloud software for the aircraft turnaround. Its two products are avitium JointOps, for joint ground operations, and avitium Line Maintenance. It was listed at MRO Europe in 2026.

OpenATS was founded in 2020 and is based in Graz, Austria. It is a small company that makes open source tools for air traffic control surveillance. It also offers related services. Its stated goal is to help users improve safety margins in surveillance work.

Aircraft records, maintenance and cost

KeepFlying was founded in 2021 and is based in Singapore. It calls itself a data and AI company for aviation. Its main product is FinTwin, which turns airworthiness and maintenance records into financial insight. The site says it works with airlines, lessors and maintenance shops, and connects to more than 27 maintenance systems.

AviaCost, LLC was founded in 2024, according to its website. It makes aircraft operating cost calculators. Its page describes 12 custom calculators and a database of more than 200 aircraft. They are meant to help with decisions about buying and owning an aircraft. AviaCost exhibited at NBAA-BACE 2026.

Planewise was founded in 2024, according to its website. It is software for tracking squawks, inspections and status for one aircraft or a whole fleet. It is aimed at flight schools, flying clubs and aircraft owners. The page says pilots and engineers built it. Planewise exhibited at SUN 'n FUN in 2026.

Aletiq is a French software company. Its founders joined forces in 2019, and the platform launched in 2021. It is a product lifecycle management tool for manufacturers. It keeps CAD files, parts lists, specifications and quality records in one place. The company says it has more than 20 customers, including some in aeronautics.

Payments, travel and connectivity

Hands In was founded in 2023, according to its website. It offers split payment tools for airlines and travel platforms. The idea is to recover revenue that is lost when a large payment fails or is dropped. It lists airlines, online travel agencies, hospitality brands and ticketing platforms as its users. It is listed at the Aviation Festival events.

Drones, inspection and sustainability

WEFLO was founded in 2022, according to its website, and is listed as based in South Korea. It develops FloONE, which it calls a physical AI inspection platform. It is meant for drones, advanced air mobility vehicles and other vehicles. The goal is to turn condition data into decisions about quality, safety and maintenance. It exhibited at Drone Show Korea in 2026.

UAVPROF Software was founded in 2022, according to its website. It is registered in the United Arab Emirates. It builds education tools for the drone industry, including the UAVPROF Drone Simulator, which has been in development since 2022. It also runs drone programming competitions. It exhibited at Drone Show Korea in 2026.

Impact Innovations was founded in 2022, according to its website, and is based in Germany. It describes itself as a global platform that helps companies reach net zero, including in aviation. It has been listed at MRO Europe, SAF Investor London and DSEI UK.

What these companies have in common

Look across the list and a few patterns appear.

• Records and data come up often. KeepFlying and Aletiq both work on getting technical data out of files and into one place.
• Many solve one narrow job. AviaCost does cost calculators. Planewise tracks squawks. That focus can make a product easy to try.
• Several serve drones and new aircraft. WEFLO and UAVPROF work in drones. WEFLO also names advanced air mobility.
• They go to shows early. Most of these firms already exhibit at events. That is a sign they want to meet buyers in person.

How to look at a young software company

A new firm can move fast, and it often listens closely to its first customers. But it has a short track record. Here are a few simple checks.

• Ask for customers you can talk to.
• Ask how the product connects to the systems you already use.
• Ask where your data is kept and who can see it.
• Ask what happens to your data if the company closes.
• Try a small pilot before you sign a long contract.

Find more aviation software

These 13 are only a small slice of the market. The Flying Engineer lists 1,323 aviation software companies, from large names to small new teams. Browse them all on our aviation software category page. If you run a young software company that is not listed yet, search for it in the directory and claim your page.

Source: The Flying Engineer directory and company websites, October 2026.

Common questions

What counts as an aviation software startup here?

A1: We picked software companies in our directory that say they were founded in 2020 or later, based on their own websites.

Are these companies ranked?

A2: No. The list is in no special order. Each company is a young firm worth a closer look.

Which of these companies work on aircraft records?

A3: KeepFlying works on aircraft records and maintenance data for owners, lessors and operators.

Are there drone software companies on the list?

A4: Yes. WEFLO and UAVPROF Software both work in the drone space.

How can a startup get listed?

A5: Search for your company on The Flying Engineer and claim your page, or visit the software category page to see how others appear.