General

It has been almost 2 years since COVID-19 had a major impact on human life. Almost every industry in the world became a standstill to this pandemic. The pandemic has also led to a substantial fall in airline traffic. Due to severe limitations on movements imposed by countries worldwide, international air passenger demand decreased by 75.6% compared to the previous year, according to IATA. As predicted by IATA, the travel comparable to the pre-Covid level will be attained only by 2024.

Covid has significantly changed how the world or people used to work. Airlines, airports, hotels are thinking of various options to tackle the post covid situations. Through a holistic approach that prioritizes passenger safety and supports more efficient and sustainable operations, the airport industry is now looking beyond the crisis to a sustainable, future-proof revival of air transport. Airport infrastructure will require USD 2.6 trillion in investment between now and 2040, accounting for 0.1% of global GDP for the future of airport management and airport innovation.

Improving airport passenger experience through airport innovation 

Here is how we can start improving airport passenger experience with airport innovation and likewise work for the future of airport management.

A smoother journey with security incorporated: Going through security in the next decade will not require removing your accessories or placing them into small bags. Passengers and their belongings will be automatically recognized as they pass through automated checkpoints. Sensor corridors will replace tiring checkpoints, making physical checks superfluous in future airport operations.

Biometric ID: Airlines will provide passengers seamless options for self-service check-in (Mobile APP, Web or Kiosk). Facial Recognition / Retina Scanning will be used in the different channels of check-in or boarding. This ultimately leads to Digitization of the IDs. Airlines have already started providing the services of touchless travel with facial recognition / retina scanning to identify passengers. This can be extended to different areas in the airport like passport control, e-gates, etc.

Decentralized travel stages will be implemented: Virtual tags will be placed on everyone, including individuals, baggage and cargo. And they will be followed throughout their journey. It means that travel permission and customs inspections can be completed ahead of time. Remote bag drop-off and collection will also be available where it is most convenient for the passenger, such as at train stations. Using RFID tags, with the option of personalized ones too, can reduce the interaction of the passenger with agents and facilitate touchless travel. DCS should be able to read/encode details into the RFID bag tags as well.

Enhanced collaboration: At least ten separate entities will be required to make each journey a reality. The only way to collect all the data needed to make this travel experience easy is for everyone working together to cooperate; the airlines, the airport, ground handlers, government organizations, shops, and restaurants. Collaboration is also required across the entire ecosystem of connected airports. Operational data will be shared utilizing trust frameworks throughout this vast network, and stakeholders will share single sources of truth for critical activities. IATA´s One ID initiative will pave the way for significantly improved airport efficiency by using trusted, digital identity, biometric recognition technology and a collaborative identity management platform.

The airport will have a high level of automation: Mission-critical performance will be dependent on high-speed mobile connectivity at the airport. Airports will increasingly operate just-in-time, with automation and self-service boosting efficiency. Vehicles and robots that are automated, networked, and autonomous are expected to become widespread around the airport. Automation will also make asset sharing and utilization more efficient. 5G networks will connect a wide range of objects, from baggage to aircraft tugs, providing massive amounts of data and real-time, predictive, and historical views of airport operations.

AI based tools for social distancing: In the COVID era, airlines were blocking middle seats to ensure that passengers are not seated together ensuring social distancing. AI based algorithms can be built in to ensure seating is done based on the situations. Automated check-in based on rules can ensure minimum interactions by the passengers.

The airport will adjust to the demands of travelers: Some current revenue streams, will become weaker or outdated because of the speedy and frictionless transit to and through the airport. To replace them, airports will have to develop new ways to enhance the travel experience. Passengers will be able to get what they want, when they want it, at any point along their journey, not just at the airport, thanks to personalization. An airport-provided limo service could include bag check-in at your home, business, or hotel, as well as expedited approvals and facilitation for frequent passengers.

Everything we do at the airport will have an API: Because tomorrow's travelers will be digital natives, airport managers will also need to be digital natives. Airport complexity will be sliced into a set of data services that can be shared as application programming interfaces in this technologically savvy environment (APIs). It will create an ecosystem that facilitates cooperation and invention and is simple to use, thus catering to the future of airport management.

Be future-ready with IBS

Improving airport passenger experience and airport innovation lies in connected and efficient operations that provide passengers with painless and seamless transit and personalized experiences. Here is how IBS software solutions help with airport innovation and the future of airport management.

Cargo Management: iCargo is the industry's best air cargo management and collaboration platform, co-designed with the world's major cargo airlines and ground handlers. iCargo's modern cloud platform underlies flexible solutions that scale with corporate needs and fully integrate end-to-end freight operations. Cutting-edge digital technologies, along with customer-centric sales capabilities, help speed innovation, go-to-market strategies and enhance industry collaboration. Intelligent revenue management and optimization features, backed by dynamic pricing, robust demand and capacity forecasting models, and fast reconciliation, help IBS' iCargo increase profitability for all stakeholders.

Passenger Services: iFly RES is an omni-channel platform that enables better traveler experiences through airline reservations, commerce, and end-to-end passenger processing. Its inherent departure control, offer, and order management features allow for modern commerce across customer touchpoints while streamlining passenger operations. iFly RES' dynamic pricing and AI-driven personalization engines are fully integrated from crucial airline and airport processes to point-of-sale, maximizing revenues through targeted upsell and cross-sell. The platform's extensive API set allows for contemporary distribution partnerships that increase business profitability and consumer value while minimizing legacy message expenses. Airlines benefit from iFly RES' self-service tools and AI-driven process automation, which give them matchless agility, flexibility, and operational cost savings.

Operations & Crew Management: iFlight helps leading airlines of all sizes and business models achieve operational excellence worldwide. iFlight is a comprehensive, data-driven platform for end-to-end airline operations and crew management that offers unrivalled predictability and reaction to operational difficulties. A single-screen can plan, optimize, manage, monitor, and automate an airline's complete operating spectrum with iFlight. The platform's dynamic situational awareness gives users real-time information about flight operations, crew planning, management, roster optimization, airport operations, fleet maintenance and repair, and proactive disruption management. AI ML capabilities and intelligent optimizers help iFlight increase operational reliability, efficiency, and robustness regularly.

Loyalty Management: By cultivating deeper member involvement, diversifying value delivery through partner ecosystems, and bundling individualized offers, airline loyalty programs are critical to improving airline revenues. iLoyal avoids costly and time-consuming system customizations and maintenance by relying on a cloud-native and highly adaptable platform. iLoyal allows airlines to develop and swiftly deploy new products, services, and B2B and B2C program designs thanks to its SaaS approach. iLoyal provides airlines with a 360-degree consumer view using sophisticated data and analytics to customize relevant offers to its members. iLoyal's secure platform accelerates program growth and revenues for the world's biggest airlines by enabling real-time transactions, from search to redemption to fraud detection.