A new industry report, Navigating the Airport of Tomorrow, identifies changing attitudes to the modern airport and charts the technologies that over the next 10 years will attempt to solve passenger frustrations.
Authored by Norm Rose of Travel Tech Consulting Inc, the report reveals that passengers across the world are still suffering significant problems whilst at the airport including when checking-in, collecting and dropping off baggage and passing through security checks.
On average, if customers are made to queue for longer than 30 minutes in order to check-in, their perception of the airline used swings negatively by 10 percent.
Navigating the Airport of Tomorrow uses primary data from a global traveller study conducted by JD Power on behalf of Amadeus, which surveyed 2, 978 travellers.
Looking ahead to 2020, the report paints an optimistic picture of how specific emerging technologies will be applied to solve the challenges of the airport experience including:
One-touch check-in and progress tracking
Near field communication (NFC) enabled smartphones and tablet computers could unlock the possibility of one-touch check-in, if airports deploy NFC sensors throughout the airport.
This would maximise ease of check-in for the passenger, and could even enable airlines to track their passengers through the airport, achieving greater efficiencies.
Permanent baggage tags
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology is being introduced to create permanent baggage tags that recognise the passenger’s frequent flyer details and allow the tracking of the bag through the airport, onto the airplane and off again at the final destination.
This will enable real-time baggage information – an especially valuable service in times of disruption.
Roaming agents with tablet computers
Given the proliferation of tablet computers, roaming agents could soon be available within the airport to provide information to passengers as necessary, or to aid the desk check-in process at peak times.
To download a copy of the Navigating the Airport of Tomorrow report, visit:
www.amadeus.com/AirportOfTomorrow
