The way we travel has changed and, therefore, so has the passenger prototype. The arrival of COVID19 has only accelerated something that already existed. The arrival of COVID19 has only accelerated something that already existed.
New way of interacting in the spaces destined for travel: who prefers the digital to the manual, the contactless, the traveler who shares experiences. The influence of social networks has reached
The influence of social networks has reached airport facilities and has now become a new reality that both airports and large critical infrastructure managers have to deal with.
Indispensable when working on the recovery of air transport after the losses caused during the after the losses incurred during the pandemic.
Non-contact technology
It was already a trend before the advent of the coronavirus, but everything points to the fact that long after the coronavirus has ceased to pose a threat, many organizations and institutions will the coronavirus is no longer a threat, and many organizations and institutions will continue to rely on this type of technology. Will continue to rely on this type of technology. And airports are no exception.
The aim of this type of innovation is not only to speed up the flow of passengers inside air terminals, but also to promote passenger independence.
With digitalization, we users are becoming much more independent, and the more independent we become, the more we resent having to interact with other people. We prefer to carry out as many processes as possible ourselves, almost completely avoiding any non-essential contact. contact that is not essential. And the passenger is no exception: he prefers online check-in, carrying the ticket online, carrying the ticket on their digital device, using it to go through the various checkpoints, obtain direct and personal information on their cell phone, make purchases inside the terminal, etc.
And the more we advance, the greater the need to facilitate the passenger’s total independence, in some cases to the point where the passenger can carry out all the necessary steps to board the flight without the need for intermediaries. boarding the flight without the need for intermediaries. An example of this is Beijing Capital International Airport, which has succeeded in automating all phases of travel from the check-in process to departure from the airport. Check-in process through to departure from the airport at destination. This means that the passenger doesn’t need to contact airport staff at any time. A feat that could be the new reality for many airports.
Baggage management: RFID tags
In previous posts we mentioned the different technologies used in baggage handling at airports. On that occasion, the aim was to clean the suitcases in order to avoid the possible transmission of COVID19. to avoid the possible transmission of COVID19. For this purpose, we saw that Kuala Lumpur Airport was using baggage handling technology and that was Lumpur Airport used a cleaning technology based on UV lamps. And while it is more than likely that this technology is one of the innovations created to meet the needs of the new traveler paradigm needs of the new traveler paradigm, this time we want to focus on RFID tags.
RFID refers to Radio Frequency Identification Technology that uses an image to identify the product or, in this case, the suitcase. image to identify the product or, in this case, the suitcase. It is used in different areas and is especially important in airports. This type of tag communicates through a microchip by means of a microchip via radio waves, making it a much more efficient system than the usual barcodes. than the usual bar codes. This technology makes it possible to know the status of the bags at all times. the status of the suitcases at all times. So much so that the International Air Transport Association (IATA) wants to implement the global use of tracking and wants to implement the global use of RFID tracking.
Some airports that already use this type of technology are Hong Kong International Airport and McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas. Two success stories that have demonstrated that new technologies implementation can improve results considerably and in a short period of time.
Improvements in communication
In the digital era, one of the factors that stands out the most is the proliferation of information. And this information is of no use to us without the ability to communicate and interpret it correctly.
In previous sections we talked about how social networks have influenced the paradigm of the new traveler, the way he/she travels and the way he/she behaves. Paradigm of the new traveler, the way he communicates and what he expects from his environment. The way of and receiving information is one of the factors that has been most influenced by them.
In addition, it will be necessary to know at what time the passenger should have the information he/she will need so that he/she does not feel that there is an excess of it. The information must be personalized, digitally so that they can receive it on their electronic device through the different channels available: email, social networks, the airline’s app or third parties.
Some airports and IT providers are developing new technologies that allow them to provide users with the precise information they need depending on where they are in the terminal (check-in, boarding, retail area, VIP lounges, baggage claim area, etc.). This is achieved through the incorporation of beacon technology that uses geolocation to perform different actions. At Airport Gurus we seek the maximum adaptation of new technologies to the most optimal processes and areas, to provide a complete and comprehensive service in each and every one of the operations, digitization of processes and media management in the different airport facilities
