Technology

Smart Airports are set to change passenger experience as airports assign greater spending plans to expanding and adopting the latest smart innovations. Huge financial investments in the area, particularly the UAE, will drive the Middle East smart airports market to cross US$ 850 million within the next 3 years.

A most current research by Technavio states the global market for smart airports is approximated to reach $13 billion by 2019, at a combined yearly growth rate of 6 percent.

From smart gates, beacon technology, mobile devices to browse the airports and face recognition systems, to air traffic management, luggage and check in management, IP-based security monitoring, interactions, ticketing, and information systems, freight operations information systems, air traffic management and air passages analytics, airports worldwide are actively embracing new innovations.

The current innovations and innovations that will alter the method of future travel will be showcased at the 16th edition of the Airport Show, to be held from May 9-11.

The Airport Show 2016 will happen at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC) under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA), Chairman of Dubai Airports and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group.

Daniyal Qureshi, Group Exhibition Director at Reed Exhibitions Middle East, the organisers of the Airport Show, said: "Airports are more active than ever in embracing brand-new and smart technologies and they are gaining benefits in enhancing performances, traveler experience along with in reducing expenses.".

"With global traveler numbers expected to rise to 7.3 billion by 2034, airports have to ensure they have the ability to cope with the rising numbers, and, at the same time, offer seamless travel experience. Smart innovations can significantly assist in delivering a problem-free passenger experience that can put an airport ahead of its competitors.".

The UAE has been on the forefront when it concerns adopting the current smart technologies. A financial investment of more than AED100 million has actually been made toward the Smart Gates initiative at the Dubai International Airport.

Enhancing capability and ensuring seamless operations is the primary driver for GCC airports, which are expected to deal with 450 million travelers by 2020.

The use of smart technology is not only adding to boosting traveler experience however also expected to assist authorities in the region lower 25 per-cent of functional expenses.

According to SITA IT Airport Survey, with 81 percent of airports purchasing beacons and other sensors over the next three years, passengers can anticipate a more comfy and foreseeable trip through the airports.

The study estimates that 80 per-cent of airports will use beacons to provide way-finding services and 74 per-cent to provide notices to travelers within the next 2 years. More than half of the airports are most likely to have sensing units in use at numerous points of the trip including check-in, bag drop, security, dwell time and boarding by 2018.

Actual time alerts about travel details such as regional traffic, waiting times, or line times will be more common as will mobile services such as specialised apps for navigating the airport.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA), the international trade body for airlines, states the increased usage of gadgets, applications, networks and services will open up an entire brand-new world for systems combination in the airports environment.

A Markets and Markets research states the international market for smart airports will reach US$ 13.5 billion by 2020. The market is anticipated to see 5.61 per-cent CAGR to 2020.

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