Following the contracted and ongoing battle with the COVID-19 pandemic, an increasing number of airports across the world have realised that contactless technology is defining the passenger experiences.
Biometrics remain the focus for investment with 64 per cent of airports aiming to roll out self-boarding gates using biometric and ID documentation by 2023.
A 2020 report by SITA on Air Transport IT Insights revealed that airports have accorded high investment priority for contactless technology between now and 2023.
Emirates has already unveiled a biometric path at Dubai International Airport for contactless journeys. Kuala Lumpur has installed UV tunnels to automatically disinfect baggage as it passes through the conveyor belt. San Diego Airport is utilising advanced video analytics for social distancing and mask compliance. Transport Security Administration (TSA) are exploring the use of UV-C light to disinfect security checkpoint bins in the US.
Touchless technology will help minimise the spread of viruses and reduce the interaction between passengers and staff all through the check-in and security processes, to inflight entertainment and food and beverage pre-ordering.
Contactless kiosks, Passenger Reconciliation System (PRS), contactless payments and mobile apps have become travel essentials. Some airports and airlines are going beyond. Like Abu Dhabi-based Etihad became the first airline to trial new contactless self-service technologies that can estimate a passenger’s vital signs and allows touchless health screenings at airport kiosks and bag drops.
According to the Airports Council International (ACI), customer experience is fast becoming one of the most important tools to differentiate airports from their competitors. Airports are determining their approaches to enhance passenger experience once the pandemic subsides and create an environment that will positively impact the confidence to travel.
Emirates, the world’s largest international airline, has launched facial recognition checkpoints that give passengers a ‘touchless’ transfer through Dubai International. The carrier integrated a “biometric path” into its facilities at DXB for passengers to have a contactless experience when travelling through its terminals. The innovation is aimed at improving traveller flow through the airport by requiring fewer manual document checks and less queuing.
Dubai also has in place a world-leading passport control facility – a Smart Tunnel that lets passengers simply walk through to be cleared by immigration officials without human intervention or needing a passport stamp. Emirates is also the first airline outside the US to get approval for biometric boarding and its passengers flying to the US are able to choose to use facial recognition technology at departure gates.
Contactless technology will be a key attraction at the 20th edition of Airport Show in Dubai, the world’s largest B2B airport show. The show will be held from 24-26 May at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) and will take place across 12,000 square metres of exhibition space with participants expected from 90 countries.
