Two thirds of global airports are planning to use more biometric technology at key service points – like check-in, bag-drop and boarding – over the coming years, with them viewing it as a “transformative technology”, according to a survey by travel tech giant Amadeus.
According to the research, 66% of airport and 65% of airline executives are planning to implement broadened biometric capabilities in the next three years.
The survey highlights the desire of airports and airlines to work better together to reach their shared objectives, with 64% of airport leaders planning to ‘implement improved data sharing agreements with airlines’ over the coming three years.
Over a longer-term horizon – five years – what the top technology airport leaders plan to implement is ‘more advanced and collaborative technology at the Airport Operational Control Centre (APOC)’. Such tools enable airports to simulate the impact of operational decisions before they happen and deliver new unified communications channels to work more responsively with stakeholders like airlines.
Holger Mattig, SVP Product Management, Airport & Airline Operations, Amadeus said: “We see from this study that airports and airlines face common challenges and share common objectives. Whether it’s transforming the end-to-end passenger experience with biometrics, reducing baggage delay issues or better managing day-to-day operations with more collaborative technology at the APOC, everyone wants the same outcomes.”
“The whole is greater than the sum of its parts’ – nowhere is that more true than airport operations. To maximise outcomes from this 17% increase in spend, it’s important technology is viewed as a way to better connect stakeholders and to establish a more mature ecosystem in aviation. That’s how we’ll improve on-time performance and deliver more value for passengers.”
Senior airline leaders confirmed that improving the passenger experience at the airport is their top technology priority. This matches closely with leaders of airports, who also stated this objective as the number one reason for investing in technology.
Amadeus said 64% of airports are planning to implement improved data sharing agreements with airlines over the next three years.
Airports are planning to increase technology investment more than any other area of travel, with a 17% average boost this year.
