Contactless Technology Adoption at Airports Gets Accelerated After Covid-19

(MenaFN)– Dubai: Contactless technology is defining the passenger experiences at an increasing number of airports across the world after the 21st century’s second pandemic turned the world of travel upside down and rapidly accelerated the pace of biometric deployment.

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. Contactless technologies have proven to be a game-changer as a 2020 report by SITA on Air Transport IT Insights revealed and airports have accorded high investment priority for touchless technology between now and 2023.

Emirates has unveiled a biometric path at DXB for contactless journeys. Kuala Lumpur has installed UV tunnels to automatically disinfect baggage as it passes through the conveyor belt.  San Diego Airport is utilizing advanced video analytics for social distancing and mask compliance. IATA is trailing a system that enables passengers to find information on travel, testing and vaccine requirements for their journey. Transport Security Administration (TSA) explores 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 through contactless check-in, security processes, inflight entertainment and food and beverage pre-ordering.

Essentials for travel now include contactless kiosks, Passenger Reconciliation System (PRS), contactless payments at the airport and mobile apps. 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 touch-less health screenings at airport kiosks and bag drops. Self-service technology, predictive analysis, artificial intelligence, real-time information and data-sharing are among the digital concepts airports are deploying now to achieve a seamless passenger experience.

According to the Airports Council International (ACI), customer experience is fast becoming one of the most important tools to differentiate airports from their competitors. The link between emotion and memory explains the importance of an airport to deliver an emotionally enriched experience to surprise the customer. 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, loyalty, retention and deliver increased satisfaction.

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. The biometric path uses a mixture of facial and iris recognition technology to create a more hygienic, contactless way to move through the airport, by reducing human interaction throughout the process. Read Full Article >