Picture yourself walking through the airport terminal, and at every touchpoint, from check-in counters to bag drop and boarding, your identity is instantly verified with just a simple glance. This is the direction of travel in the future, writes Kaylene Shuttlewood, Managing Director, Travel Sellers, Pacific, Amadeus.
Better journeys put people first and are centred around the traveller. With this in mind, and responding to changing passenger expectations, airports continue to evolve. It’s all about working to reduce queues, frustration and delays.
A host of new digital tools have been at the heart of the changes we see in airports today. Some pretty innovative digital solutions effectively link information across stakeholders to help create a seamless end-to-end journey.
New digital tools (including biometric facial recognition, flexible check-in infrastructure and new, personalised wayfinding solutions) have seen the airports of tomorrow becoming a reality. They transform into efficient, secure, and passenger-centric hubs.
Change is at hand
Of course, this experience is not yet widespread. Airports have their challenges. Fixed infrastructure, such as check-in counters and boarding gates, can make it difficult to adapt to new possibilities. And staff shortages, outdated procedures and limited resources for change can slow the move to a digital future.
Cancellations strain operations, while fluctuating passenger numbers, route changes, evolving passenger needs, and travel regulations modifications also play a role.
Some airports are embracing new technology to enhance check-in procedures, fortify security screenings and provide passengers with a contactless journey.
Perth Airport conducted a successful trial in collaboration with Singapore Airlines, leveraging Amadeus’ biometric technology. The outcomes showcased a seamless and convenient experience, particularly as tech-savvy travellers use highly sought after contactless solutions.
Amadeus partially developed this biometric technology in Sydney, where it houses a large research and development centre.
Bridging the gap
The impact of this innovative system has been well-received by travellers.
Biometrics allows us to say goodbye to the hassles of repeatedly presenting boarding passes and passports. Not to mention waiting in long queues at the airport. When passengers are ready to board, a quick facial scan is all it takes to seamlessly match their identity with their booking, automatically updating the departure control system (DCS) and streamlining the entire boarding process.
Passengers will still need to carry their passports for verification.
In Japan, Narita International Airport has welcomed the first end-to-end biometric process in the country. Collaborating with NEC Corporation, Amadeus hasworked to update the passenger journey at this busy airport, which handles a significant portion of air traffic in Japan.
Here, manual check-ins are now a thing of the past for many travellers, resulting in significantly reduced wait times, heightened efficiency and fewer delays, creating a seamless and stress-free journey for all passengers.
The importance of flexibility
Digital flexibility is another key driver of efficiency at the airport of tomorrow.
New solutions allow airports to adapt operations and commercial models to meet changing circumstances. You can centrally host durable, scalable, and cost-effective technology, securely accessing it through any network connection. Such highly resilient cloud infrastructure ensures seamless delivery of services and uninterrupted processing of operations.
This technology empowers airports to maintain operational continuity, even in the face of unforeseen challenges, ensuring a smooth travel experience for passengers.
Amadeus’ cloud-based passenger processing technology has also helped Port Hedland International simplify its passenger services and increase flexibility. It will also facilitate better collaboration within the airport, as all stakeholders — from airport to airline and ground handling staff — can access critical passenger handling applications from anywhere, using an internet connection.
This involves deploying passenger systems and tools to off-terminal and off-airport locations, a strategy that could reduce terminal queues and enhance passenger service.
Amadeus makes the experience of travel better for everyone, everywhere, inspiring our industry to build an innovative, sustainable, traveler-centric ecosystem. New digital solutions are helping us build the end-to-end experience today’s passengers expect.
Kaylene Shuttlewood’s position at Amadeus is a testament to her vast expertise and leadership within the travel and airline industry. As Managing Director, she helps shape and drive the industry’s future while delivering innovative solutions and strategies to meet the dynamic needs of the market.
