Exploring Opportunities to Streamline Airport Security and Baggage Handling Systems

Airports continue to go through transformations to improve the services they offer to their customers. As the rate of air travel increases, travelers are demanding more from their flight experiences. On average travelers are recommended to arrive at least two hours before their departure time to allow for parking/shuttle transportation, airline check-in, and going through the security screening process. In addition, moving baggage through an airport to the aircraft is often labor and time intensive.

The adoption of emerging technologies will improve airport security and baggage handling processes. These improvements will not only affect airport security but will also impact the whole travel experience. Our industry expert Ihab Osman explores the emerging trends that will improve the passenger experience.

Impact Of Technology On Airport Security And Baggage Handling

Distributed versus central security

According to Ihab Osman, one of the most significant changes airports may experience will be the shift from central to distributed security. Central security systems present a couple of problems in airports. First, they are targets of cyber threats since all, or most security systems can be controlled from one place. Gaining control of the main control room is a sure way to compromise the whole airport’s security. Second, security and baggage handling systems may face some downtime, which is avoidable if the system is decentralized.

Airports can create several decentralized security systems if they wish to mitigate this problem. For example, there can be separate screening checks to ensure that business does not stop when one machine is facing some downtime.

Automated screening

Screening is an integral part of any airport’s security. The problem is that it takes much time when a large airport serving thousands of visitors every day has to screen every person. Installing automatic screening checks is a sure way to reduce the time it takes to screen someone. How will this work? Well, there may be systems in place to screen some people at home or upon their arrival. This will reduce the time we spend in airports as long as the airport can offer a fullproof way to screen someone away from the airport, says Osman.

Use of robots in baggage handling

Baggage handling is an essential airport process. However, bag handling systems are often bulky and are prone to failure. Ihab Osman asserts that bag handling systems consume the most space and rarely achieve optimum operating capacity.

In the future, airports will resort to robots in their bid to automate the bag handling processes. You will only have to drop your bag at a robot, which then goes through tunnel disinfection and loads your bags in the plane. The only challenge, according to Osman is the creation of robot paths to eliminate collision and programming robots to reroute any luggage when there is a problem. Using robots will reduce human accidents in airports and increase bag handling efficiency.

Automated delivery of services

Airports will also witness changes in how they offer products and services to clients. The automation of services and the use of AI in airports will be a game-changer. You will no longer have to be physically present to get access to services. Airports will move to transmit all information and data that you need online. This means that you will check up on everything, such as parking through a mobile app.

The delivery of products and services such as foods will also get automated. For example, airport retail outlets may deliver any food you order when you are in a different part of the airport. But a robot will likely serve you. Automation will reduce our time in airports, improve security, and increase revenues as airports hire fewer people.

EVOLVING AIRPORT OPERATIONS AND TRAVELER’S EXPERIENCE

Airports have gone through rapid technological advancement in the last two decades. This trend will continue into the near future as airports employ smart technologies and data collection to transform their operations and traveler’s experience. Artificial intelligence across all spheres represents a critical technology that will impact how airports operate. This technology will automate screening and delivery of services throughout the airport. The use of robots in handling baggage will also help reduce the challenges of poor bag handling in airports. Data collected across the airport enterprise will play a role in shaping the design of airports of the future. The traffic flow of people within the airport is just as important as the planes arriving and departing its runways. Innovation will continue to enable airports to improve the experience of its travelers and realize cost savings along the way.