COVID-19: What Changes To Expect From Airports Now & In The Future

                  

The aviation business has hugely impacted across the world during the shutdown of traveling and closure of borders as a response to the coronavirus pandemic. As the lockdown restrictions are lifted and the traveling has resumed, there is an important need to deploy new technologies at the Airport so that passengers can travel stress-free without the fear of getting contaminated by this infectious disease.

The good news is: The aviation industry globally has well understood the urgency of adopting new technologies that support contactless travel so that people can enjoy traveling again without any tension or fear. For this reason, the tech revolution began even before the flights were resumed however certain advancements are still undergoing to make the experience rich and safe.

Through this blog, we would like to take you on a short ride to discuss such emerging technologies that you might have already or soon encounter on your next travel.

ü  Facial Recognition

In order to reduce the contact between humans and the surface, the boarding and arrival procedures will be conducted through AI powered facial recognition. It will also help in making the boarding process smoother than before. Touchless technology is probably the best way to reduce the transmission of the virus from one person to another. You will use your face to do many things required at the airport without the need to touch anything. Some of the advanced technologies can even scan the face with half-covered. Isn’t it amazing?

ü  Digital Boarding Pass

For reducing the interactions between passengers and staff, online check-ins for boarding passes will soon be made compulsory by the airports. We all know social distancing is extremely crucial at this stage. Most of the hassle at the airport can be seen in the check-in line. To skip long queues and to maintain social distancing, check-in online and get your boarding pass to save time and stay protected as well. Later on, you will be able to scan the barcode at the airport security whenever required. This facility is already available at most of the airports.

ü  Body Temperature Check

One of the main symptoms of the novel coronavirus is a rise in temperature. For this reason, body temperature check has already become the new normal not just in airports but at every public place be its grocery store, restaurant, or malls to detect abnormal body temperature. However, industry experts say that a thermal camera scanner won’t be feasible to identify the infected individual because the symptoms of coronavirus vary from one person to another. Asymptomatic coronavirus cases are another concern of the same. What do you think?

ü  Airport Sanitizing

Hygiene is an important step to reduce the spread of the virus.  Therefore, deep cleaning is taking place at the airports so that passengers can travel safely. You may see Robots cleaning the floor at airports, full body disinfection booth, UV-based disinfection facilities for sanitizing baggage, hand sanitizers in the airport premises, and other such technologies to adhere to every health and safety measure that ensure safe travel. Airports are maintaining high standards of hygiene and sanitation to reduce the risk of infection.

ü  Mobile Ordering

Mobile ordering has been around for years however its usage has accelerated in the times of coronavirus as it is one of the safest and convenient ways to order because of minimum human contact. For this reason, the restaurants, food & beverage shops, lounges etc. at the airport premises will allow passengers to order via QR codes through which they can access menus and make payment as well. Some of them could also ask you to download restaurant apps that can be helpful for the owners as they can have access to guest data.

ü  Smart Airport Apps

     

Such apps are designed to make our airport experience easier. As the pandemic hit, these apps have now become crucial to use so that travelers can stay informed about departure and arrival information, navigating pathways to their respective flights or food restaurants, lounges, parking availability etc. It will also play a part in ensuring physical distancing and make the airport experience easier as travelers can get any information at their fingertips over the mobile phones.

 Final Takeaway

Airports will undergo a massive change and implement innovative solutions in the near future as the primarily focus is the safety of the travelers and the staff members onboard and at the airport premises against this viral pandemic. Passengers can expect an increase of self-services which includes baggage drop, home app check-in, automated boarding gates and more that helps in reducing the contact of passengers and airport staff.

If you have been recently at any airport, we would love to know about your new norm experience!