With the International Air Transport Association (IATA) forecasting a doubling of air passenger numbers by 2040, the current airport experience, often characterized by lengthy queues and slow processes, faces the need for a transformative overhaul. The future of airports might be reshaped by technology, potentially turning today’s plodding experiences into a seamless journey from entrance to boarding.
A prominent expectation is the integration of web-based processes into various airport procedures. For example, in some U.S. airports, passengers can already book time slots for security checks. Additionally, the incorporation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in carry-on baggage scanning is anticipated to speed up and enhance accuracy in security processes.
While the concept of airports as entertainment hubs, replete with robot assistants, might seem far-fetched, the focus is largely on achieving continuous passenger movement with minimal queuing. Nick Careen, IATA’s senior vice-president, underscores the importance of advanced biometrics and global acceptance as the first critical step. E-boarding gates using facial recognition are in use at Hong Kong International Airport, and certain customs agencies, like those in North America and Ireland, are utilizing technology to expedite clearance.
In the envisioned future, passengers would have their digital identity on their phones, enabling check-ins en route to the airport and automatic identity confirmation upon arrival via facial recognition cameras. This technology could potentially eliminate the need for security gates at immigration, flagging only those not recognized by AI.
The hurdle lies not in the technology, which already exists, nor in the cost of implementation, but in the challenge of harmonizing security standards both within individual airports and internationally. The issue of data sharing across borders might take years to resolve, although the use of outbound journey data to expedite return processing is a nearer-term possibility.
Careen sees the adoption of a universally accepted digital identity system as inevitable to avoid the construction of larger terminals and hiring more staff amid growing passenger volumes. Already, biometric data is encoded in passports, and electronic immigration booths are commonplace in many destinations.
The ultimate digital identity will encompass temporary flight-specific details like visas, vaccination records, tickets, and boarding passes, alongside baggage information. Although these can be handled electronically, current systems vary in their methods.
Innovations like electronic baggage tags, which could replace paper tags, are still in their nascent stages due to existing baggage management systems and security regulations that mandate bags to travel with their owners. However, with facial recognition and biometric data, future passengers could enjoy smoother airport experiences, with technologies like AI-driven scanners expediting carry-on bag inspections.
The future airport experience, therefore, holds the promise of increased efficiency and reduced dwell time, despite uncertainties about the timeline for these technological advancements. For now, passengers can make the most of airline and airport apps, along with preferred flier or trusted traveler programs, to streamline their airport journey.
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