In recent years, many modern airports worldwide have pursued digital transformation to make sure that there are no constraints in the existing rigid systems. Many airports adapt to new and contemporary solutions and have taken up the digital transformation agility to scale and match the demand. This has the airport authorities to manage the operations. The digital transformation has helped to deliver excellent passenger experience during the phase of COVID-19.
During the peak pressure and quieter periods, digital technology has helped a lot.
These airports that are using modern, flexible technology are trying to use digital technologies to handle passengers’ demands during the COVID-19 pandemic. The airline fleets have been grounded, and the number of passengers has fallen. The airports that have used modern technologies are using this strategy to scale back the resources and services. The roll-out capacity and essential service flights have been improved due to the use of technology.
The digital technology has drastically improved and made the process of ‘mothballing’ terminals easy and convenient. The airports are now Untethered to the traditional networks, and the passenger facilities now require a WIFI, 4G/5G connectivity to be relocated quickly. The agent desks are also swappable, and the portable check-in stations have been introduced.
The technology is in use now, and the airports can respond and work with the unprecedented. The situation is rapidly evolving, and things are getting better during the COVID-19. The airport industry will now be adapting to the new regular post, the pandemic, and the travel experience will improve. The airport industry has scaled again, and the operations will now be carried out in a more organized way. The airport authorities are now looking forward to meeting the new requirements and demands of the people.
Portable check-in to assist in social distancing
Centrally-hosted technology and modern technology have now removed all the constraints. The immobility in traditional fixed network connections has been discontinued, and new technologies have been adopted at the airport. Instead, the airports are using cloud services, and the technology will now be accessed virtually at any place. The passengers can now access everything on the mobile device as long as they have an Internet connection.
The airports are Unbound and are no longer using the traditional networks. The airports are now using flexible technology. The passengers and passengers’ check-in process can handle their bags in a wide range of new locations at the airport. Now the check-in doesn’t need to be done at fixed desks. The automated devices are currently used, and the process is done within the confines of the halls for the check-in.
The technology has already been using for the check-in passengers’ process. The customers can handle their bags when they are at the hotels or the sporting events. The off-airport services are also introduced, and the portable check-in is being in use. This has helped to address new requirements and has enabled social distancing. These essential tasks have now been moved to off-airport locations near the airport. The process can be done at the curbside and the car park. The airports will be dispersing the operations, and this would help to reduce the queues. This will also help to address the congestion at the airport. The passengers will not be brought at the check-in hall.
The off-airport services have also enhanced the airport experience and have made travel more accessible than before. The processes have been streamlined for the travelers, and the passengers are no more anxious while traveling during the pandemic. Modern technologies are now helping to focus on convenience and have allowed opening new revenue streams. A home check-in has also been introduced, and the bag pick-up service is even launched.
The governments and passengers worldwide are becoming aware and demanding the airport to maintain social distancing measures. The innovations have allowed airports to repurpose the space. The airports are now adapting to the changing conditions and have opened new service points. This has helped to deliver a seamless passenger flow and has ensured that the passengers can stay safe and secure during their travel.
Biometrics underpinned by the flexible platform to enable touchless travel
Biometrics is a crucial technology and has made the travel industry improved. The investments are made in the touchless and hygienic travel. Several security measures have been adopted after 9/11. Airports around the world will adapt to new hygiene measures, which has helped minimize illnesses.
Airports have now adopted and are using the new and flexible technology architecture, and they are well-placed and have helped deploy the biometrics. This has allowed the touchless travel and safe travel. Biometrics is using cloud computing, and the touch points have now been replaced. The travelers have been given the biometric token. The process is now done, and the airports have installed some new extensive hardware.
The passenger can now walk up and use an automated device that will allow them to check and drop their bags. The device helps them to scan the face of the passenger automatically. The physical touch is not required, and automated services without much contact have been introduced. The biometric identifier will allow the passengers not to show any travel documents and ensure an end-to-end touch-free journey.
Restoring traveler confidence through challenging times
These measures are crucial and will help in achieving safe travel and enhanced customer satisfaction. The airports will be using more new technologies in the coming months and will restore passenger confidence. This will ensure that the airport environment is safe. The flexible technology has become vital and has helped meet the passenger’s demands to provide them with safe travel.
The passengers had started to expect a smooth service even before the pandemic, and now after the epidemic, they are demanding even more safety. The passengers are looking forward to a hygiene perspective and want to avoid the long queues. The airports will now be optimizing services and will improve the existing resources. The airports are using cloud-based technology and will help to provide the best services. The latest innovations will play an important role and help airports enhance passenger confidence.
Digital Transformation in the aviation sector
Digital transformation in the aviation sector has become very challenging for attaining success in the long term. The role of digital technology is not restricted to just a source of marginal efficiency, but it has become more like the foundation of transformation. Most of the people in the aviation sector are recognizing the need to go digital. They need to stay ahead of their competitors and stand out among the crowd. Although it is difficult for them to start creating a business model, ambitious digital natives are trying hard to succeed in the aviation sector. The digital transformation in the aviation sector is based on the following:
Redesigning customer interaction
Digitalization happens to be the best choice for transforming customers’ expectations and giving them a good experience. Many passengers come to airports from across the globe. The pace and the scale of this business are quite extensive, and the companies need to reinvent themselves to revaluate and transform the experience of customers. Due to digital transformation in the airports, the customers also have to adapt to new changes, new products, apps, and the necessary tools to enhance the interactions with all the customers.
Business system and process
Most of the business systems have to redesign their internal processes in a lot of ways. They have to transform their plans at the back-end, and they also need to refresh their supplies very frequently. They have to integrate and streamline the process for handling different operations. For gaining a lot of efficiencies, they have to create the system and processes in such away. All these changes play a crucial role in determining the success and achieving the company’s strategic aims. Maintaining the business’s agility can be difficult, but there is a need for quick adaptation to ongoing changes in the market and generates new revenue systems.
Nurturing innovation
Many businesses in the aviation industry have invested a lot in specialized departments or group companies. Most of them are engaging in partnerships and arrangements to make the aviation sector successful in terms of digitization. It will give them an idea about providing the passengers with a better experience at the airport. If the businesses plan to stay above the curve and remain competitive in the field, very well places techniques or ideas should be followed. The upcoming changes need to be anticipated, and a new range will be created for innovations like labs and hubs. It will help bring different parts of the business together, and the aviation sector has to partner with innovative companies and consultants.
Big data and advanced analytics
The emergences of innovative/sophisticated technology and analytics have taken over the aviation industry. They should have the ability to capture and extract a lot of value from different kinds of data. The amounts of data are rising every minute, and managing them is challenging in the aviation industry. With the help of digital transformation, everything can fall into place, and the advanced analytics can be developed appropriately. The big data will help businesses understand the needs and want of their targeted customers. The purchase behavior can transform into more loyal relationships as the airports will give the passengers a better flying experience.
The volume and percentage of data increase by a considerable margin, and the challenges to take care of such big data is not possible without digital transformations. It has become challenging for most organizations to navigate the complex landscape to protect data, privacy, and cyber security. All these laws have to be enforced and become the key to unlocking the full power of big data and advanced analytics. The machine learning process is also the right way of handling the data without getting too many human resources. The volume and variety of data keep increasing, and the determination may take some time. Most businesses that want to offer extensive and quality products to the users have to incorporate such innovative ideas. Under the laws of GDPR, personal data has to be collected, keeping in mind the specific and explicit processes. Cyber security is posing to be a significant threat as well, and it is such an area that has to be regulated with a heightened focus. There has to be an increased reliance on technology, so such threats don’t pose a danger for everyone involved in the aviation industry.
Machine learning
Machine learning will provide a proper analysis of data as soon as it is recorded. It will include detailed analysis and up to date information that can be used to stop any fraud that is happening within the airport. Many passengers are flying over to different destinations and to maintain their records is a challenging task. Big data and machine learning can be used to ensure that the passengers entering the airport terminal are free of any suspicion. Sometimes feedback loops are also used to check and analyze the data related to the airport terminals. The data is now collected in real-time as it gives out more precise and comprehensive results. It will be easy to drive with the fuel efficiencies and reduce the engines’ problems before flying. Machine learning has also become an essential factor in overcoming internal silos.
Many organizations have to face issues while extracting the value out of the data, and most of the data have been stored in an organized manner. Some companies collect many unchecked data, so they may not have a good idea about different departments. The data is usually held by other entities or departments to extract the real value of the data. They have to know which is the most valuable data or where it is stored. Machine learning can also break down most of the internal silos and analyze a wide range of data. The types and forms of data have to be classified in various ways and extract the best value out of it. The aviation industry has to work hard and find active solutions for the growth of this business.