The ‘Internet of Things’ (IoT) is coming to travel, and over the next three years passenger will be enjoying seamless self-service at airlines and airports worldwide.
This is according to The Future is Connected, the latest industry report from SITA, a leading global IT provider to the air transport industry.
The report said that with 83% of passengers currently carrying a smartphone it is now the unifying technology in transport, which will provide a connected end-to-end experience and reshape travel behaviour.
“With growth rates of around 80% or more at the check-in and boarding pass stages it is clear passengers are keen to use their own technology.”
The air transport industry is already establishing the infrastructure and processes to enable more seamless travel experiences. Over the next three years the vast majority of airlines and airports are planning to invest in mobile services for passengers, and most airports will also be financing self-service processes.
More than 80% of travellers carry smartphones. (Image credit – hand holding smartphone: SITA)
According to SITA’s analysis, during the same period the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) Fast Travel Programme will reach a “critical threshold”.
IATA’s target is to achieve a self-service experience for 80% of global passengers by 2020. This covers six key stages in the journey: check-in, bags-ready-to-go, document scanning, self-boarding, flight rebooking, and bag recovery. Last year the initiative reached 29% of passengers with the goal of 40% this year.
SITA’s report presents a detailed analysis of the readiness of airlines and airports at each stage of the journey, and the expectation of adoption by 2018.
“The air transport industry has already embraced self-service, and now it is turning to the ‘Internet of Things’ to deliver a more connected experience to travellers,” said Nigel Pickford, director market insight for SITA.
“Half of airlines expect to have IoT initiatives up and running over the next three years; meanwhile airports are building out the infrastructure to support IoT. Together these will deliver improved operations, and will lead to a step change in the passenger experience,” he added.
• The Future is Connected combines SITA’s global research with commentary and cases studies from airports and airlines that are moving to fully-connected travel including Changi Airport Group, Mumbai International Airport, Air New Zealand, and Miami International Airport. Download the full report here.
• Featured image credit (woman using internet in airport): kieferpix/iStock
