Technology Accelerates the Growth of Airports

Airports have remained a relatively rigid area when it comes to technology adoption. Most processes central to airport operations have been in place for decades despite the emergence of more effective and cost-effective technologies. If there is anything recent developments and the Covid-19 pandemic have taught us, however, is that this rigidity is not exactly a product of logical vigilance. More and more technologies are successfully infiltrating airport operations, and aviation seems to be taking a new trajectory as regards embracing emerging technologies.

Touchless Technology

Until the COVID-19 pandemic, touchless technology has always been viewed as the future of self-service in airports. Early adopters are not only gaining the favor of governments and the various jurisdictions they fall under but also attracting more health-conscious travellers and speeding up the usually protracted check-in process.

High contact touch points have been eliminated thanks to the increased use of automated gates and built-in readers.

The use of biometric authorization has also reduced the check-in hassle as customers can now move from the entrance to their flight using only their face as ID. The user simply stands in front of a screen, and the gate automatically slides open upon authorization.

Data Democratisation

Data democratisation is the process of making passenger, airport, and airline data accessible and available for use to all stakeholders. The point is to reduce silos and provide a more unified experience to passengers.

Airlines have always been reluctant to share passenger data with airport authorities, other airlines, and concessionaires, tactfully citing security mindfulness. Now most are for the idea of sharing information and sourcing it from the same pool thanks to an increased need for passenger experience personalization.

Concessionaires are also considering using a single point of sale system to simplify data collection and sharing.

Replacing Airline Apps With Airport Apps

When a passenger frequently changes airlines, it is difficult to monitor them and understand their preferences. This is especially true if each of the airlines has a separate customer app.

Using the same app enhances data democratisation and makes it easy for concessionaires to prepare offers for passengers days before their flights. They can also accurately prompt their prospects to make orders of items they are interested in via personalized marketing materials. It is a tested-and-tried way to reduce chaos at concessionaires, run high-ROI marketing campaigns, increase sales, and optimize inventory management.

Carbon Offsetting

On an hour-to-hour basis, flying is arguably the most carbon-intensive activity anywhere in the world. Thanks to the “flight shame” movement, more and more people are now aware of the hefty carbon print associated with air travel and are subtly demanding for change. Some are ditching planes for trains, while others are avoiding activities that involve air travel altogether. Others are opting to purchase carbon offsets to neutralize their contribution to an aircraft’s emissions during a flight.

Over 30 IATA airlines have an offset program run by a third-party provider or integrated into their digital sales engines. With the number of airlines offering carbon offsetting increasing by the day, more eco-conscious people are expected to go back to short-haul air travel much to the benefit of airports and concessionaires.

Use Of Robot Workers

Some sectors such as manufacturing have successfully incorporated robotics into their daily operations. For airports, the way forward hasn’t always been clear as most operations involve direct interaction with customers. There is also no denying the fact that robots are a huge investment that are only viable if put in efficient use cases.

Currently, robotics is being used in the following airport applications:

• Baggage handling. Robotic systems, like the one at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, can move more than 400 bags per hour between conveyor belts for international connecting flights.

• Service desk assistance. Heathrow airport recently introduced robot assistants to its busiest concourse, Terminal 5, to provide real-time flight information, answer questions, and guide passengers to various facilities. The robots are mainly charged with addressing more straightforward concerns, while employees take care of the more demanding issues.

• Administrative and regulatory tasks. Robotic process automation uses software robots to perform repetitive tasks like filling out and filing paperwork, writing employee schedules, etc. This frees up employees for value-adding processes.

• Sanitation. By automating bathroom cleaning and other processes, airports can ensure cleanliness and health without exposing their employees to harm. The cleaning robot introduced at Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Michigan disinfects surfaces using ultraviolet light and can clean a room in as little as 10 minutes.

Technology Empowers Airport Operators

As the past couple of decades have taught us, it is virtually impossible to envisage what technology will look like in five or ten years. Nonetheless, it takes time for anything to go mainstream, so it isn’t difficult to imagine what will be breaking into aviation in the foreseeable future. For the above six technologies, the adoption process has started, and the warm reception they have received is nothing short of an indicator that they are indeed here to stay.