Industry Analysis

A key theme at FTE-APEX Asia EXPO, which took place in Singapore last week, was how airport operators can meet passenger demands for ever higher standards while dealing with rapidly increasing numbers of travellers.

Having to stand in a queue, fight for a seat or wait for bags to be delivered can turn time spent at even the most sumptuous of airports into a hellish experience. As more people crowd into terminals around the world, airports will not only struggle to provide a better experience – they’ll need to work hard just to maintain the standards they’re already delivering.

Building newer, bigger terminals is one solution. In China, 216 new airports will be built to meet growing demand by 2035, according to the Civil Aviation Administration of China – but most airport authorities don’t have the luxury of being able to magic up a new terminal or two as and when they need it. However, if airports can’t expand their space, they can reduce the pressure on the space they do have by moving people through the terminal more quickly.

Looking around the exhibition halls at the Marina Bay Sands Expo & Convention Centre last week, there was plenty of excellent technology on show to help airports do just that. Highly sophisticated bag tagging systems from the likes of BAGTAG, eezeetags, One Bag Tag, ViewTag and JG Tech Innovation can shave precious seconds off check-in time. AI-based biometric technology such as that from CUBOX is speeding passengers through terminals at Incheon and others, while customer contact services from RIFF quickly and effectively puts passengers in touch with airlines and airports. On the F&B side, technology from Grab allows passengers to pre-order food and drink to take away from airport restaurants.

These advances all save passengers time, and when each minute saved is scaled over numerous thousands of passengers it will have a significant impact on reducing crowding. It will also free passengers to while away more leisure time in the airport’s restaurants, shops or even visit an in-terminal swimming pool. An altogether much more pleasant experience.