10 Growing Technologies You will See at Your Airport in the Near Future

Technology has always lead the rapid development and evolving advancement of the aviation industry that continues on its steady roll toward even bigger and better solutions. So what is in store for the aviation industry in 2019? Let me introduce 10 of the most prominent technologies that are projected to make a large notoriety this year.

1. Improvements in Cyber security

Directly in tandem with the incredible advancements in aviation industry digitization, is the equally shocking evolution of malicious cyber hacking criminals. If any application of cyber security could be coined to be the most imperative, it would most likely be the aviation industry because the data and information that is all in digital form today is so vital. Securing and protecting this information is more imperative then it has ever been before, which is the reason that about 4 billion dollars were spent in the year of 2018 on cyber security alone. Cyber security has morphed from the development and application of detection methods to the development and application of prevention and protection measures. Today, developers and security experts continue in their ultimate quest to stay several steps ahead of the closely parallel growth of cyber criminals.

2. Utilization of Biometrics

Today’s reality in the realm of passenger identification and experiences was yesterdays vision for the future. Biometrics make it possible to cut passenger lines and wait times down tremendously and are already utilized in Hong Kong International Airport, Heathrow Airport, and Changi Airport. The long processes that all passengers were mandated to go through by U.S. Customers and Border Protection or CPB are now improved with the addition of biometric technology in their pre clearance system functions. For passengers who have been pre cleared with this technology, the border control section of the airport is just a short quick walk instead of a long line waiting ordeal. As this facial recognition technology continues is growth and diffusion to other major airports, and is further developed by companies like Vision-Box, you will soon find that your paper boarding pass is no longer needed because your own face is your boarding pass.

3. Addition of Blockchain

Soon the days of dealing with separate applications that access different databases to manage your flight information will be long gone. Over 30 percent of airports will be deep into the research and further development of block chain programmed by the year of 2021 according to SITA. The block chain technology enables multiple airlines to store multiple facets of their flight information in a virtual loyalty digitized system with other airlines. This allows for a single giant hub where all flight information can be accessed by travel applications and airports to better streamline flight changes. Block chain will make it possible for everyone to have the same information from the same source, rather then information that is shared between some entities but still is sourced from different silos. This will cause the confusion of flight scheduling changes and lost luggage items to virtually disappear among those who are participants in the Block chain program. It will be easier for airlines to market their services on a targeted and more personalized basis as well as covering most of the process of repeat booking of loyal customers.

4. Accessibility Assistance Within the Airport

Airports are not the most friendly places for passengers that experience reduced mobility issues or PRM. It used to be an issue that these passengers would simply have to deal with and adapt to with much difficulty, but the day has come where airports are utilizing the development of new technology to adapt to PRM passengers rather then the other way around. For example, an application developed by Neatebox gives passengers the opportunity to specify their exact assistance needs for airport traveling in depth. Edinburgh Airport, Heathrow Airport, and Wellington Airport are fully encapsulating this technology with Aira’s application specifically developed to help passengers with limited to no vision navigate through the airport without difficulty. Because of the introduction of these technologies to help PRM passengers, airlines that use them will be catering to a once reluctant to fly demographic group of passengers and will benefit from additional revenue from an increase in sales.

5. Increased Robotics and Automation Use

There is some truth in the saying that robots are going to replace millions of human operated functions and occupied human jobs. Scanning of boarding passes, general airport navigation guidance, airport restaurant waiting, cleaning of major airport areas, conducting departure security checks, and handling of luggage are all functions that are currently able to be taken out by fully automated robots in airports today. There are robots that will do the boarding pass scanning at security checks, customs, and gates so that the attendant can focus on other more important functions at the same time the passes are scanned according to protocol. Robots that roam the airports and serve as general guides to lost or confused passengers are making it easier for customers to quickly find their gate. Robots are now equipped to do the waiting at the restaurants in the airports using a screen and knowledge data base in combination with an order communication system are allowing some of the very swollen prices of airport food to come down with a reduction in employee need.

Robots are now doing the main janitorial cleaning functions of these enormous airports with amazing capability to work longer, work quicker, as well as clean and sanitize a myriad of different surfaces at a much larger capacity then human janitors can. Robots are being utilized to augment security personnel at security check baggage scanning machines and general metal detectors as well as chase criminals down at speeds that only the fastest sprinting human can achieve. Robots have been taught to do the same baggage handling and checking functions that humans have done for ages like loading and unloading luggage from belts and detection of fire arms and explosive substances. Don’t be surprised if the next trip you take through the airport travel process involves more robots and computerized interaction then human interaction.

6. Further Optimized Artificial Intelligence

While most would assume that this category is attributed mostly to robotics, there is actually much more to it then that. Artificial Intelligence bots online can take you through the entire booking and scheduling process online and can even make flight scheduling changes and resolve billing issues. A.I. has the capacity to be used at most of the entry level aspects of the infrastructure operations in the airport, as well as the capacity to put data analytics to great use.

7. Augmented Reality Utilization

Augmented reality technology and virtual reality technology is revolutionizing the airport experience for customers and optimizing airport personnel training. Holding your tablet or phone in front of a sign would be able to pull up more in depth information then what can be logically fitted on the front of the sign itself. Virtual reality makes pilot and airline attendant training more detailed and more immersive then ever. It is possible to simulate practically any situation for training utilization purposes to help trainees learn in a more realistic feeling mode. The ability to use simulation readily in training practices allows for a more time efficient and more opportunity for repetitive on the job like training. Many aspects of training the personnel that perform the air side operations pose variable challenges. This type of training can be dangerous, expensive and logistically complex; virtual reality allows for those challenges to be surpassed.

8. Multi Commercial Partnering

As the need for gate side and on board entertainment and amenities continues to grow in order to cater to the younger generations of business professionals and frequent flyers, airlines have had to kick it up a notch in said areas. This is best done with the partnership with other commercial companies for mutual benefit. For example, an entertainment system coined as the Netflix experience was recently developed to enhance the on board entertainment experience for the passengers of certain airlines via the partnership with Netflix. Multiple food delivery services are also being utilized in this manner for gate side food delivery. As this becomes more prevalent in the effort to keep up with the extensive group of travel happy millennial’s, you will soon see it showing up in your large regional airports.

9. Implementation of Speech Recognition

As the growing trend of voice assistants such as Amazon’s Alexa and Google Assistant have continued to gain momentum, airlines are working to be a part of it. Airports are now providing these voice assistants with real time updates on flight scheduling and information that passengers can quickly access via speech. Airports utilization of this booming technology and insertion of their foot into that door will allow them immense opportunities to personalize each passengers experience and target their marketing more efficiently.

10. Internet Access Connectivity at Cruising Altitudes

You may have noticed the annoyance of having to briefly disconnect from the world while in flight to your destination, or the lack internet I should say. It seems like in today’s world you can’t accomplish much without access to the web and frequent flyers tend see this to be a waste of perfectly useful time. Basically, passengers who are attempting to conduct their business and minimize on lost time due to travel have to stop what they are doing for several hours at a time each week while en route to their flight destinations. Airlines have now recognized this problem and are putting it to good use in efforts to increase their general competitiveness with other airlines. Around 80 airlines worldwide now provide internet connection access for passengers while in flight. There are tens of billions of dollars of revenue to be made from charging passengers for broadband access aboard air crafts. This technology also has the potential to be future leverage for some airlines by providing the service for a cheaper rate then other airlines in order to gain a competitive advantage in the airline market. This also opens up the opportunity to charge by the amount of data that is used per passenger rather then a flat fee, which might be the most customer oriented ethical way to go about it, but millions of services also operate on a pay for amount used basis. The next time you take a trip aboard a commercial flight, you may have the option to connect to the internet too, as long as you are willing to pay the price.