Airports globally are increasing their IT investment to US$6 billion this year, according to data released by SITA in its IT Trends Survey 2013.

The report revealed that 90% of airports expect to either increase or maintain their IT spend in 2014, despite economic challenges, with a key focus on improving the passenger experience.

This follows a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12% in IT investment over the past three years, which outpaced airports’ 2.83% CAGR in revenue.

The top priority of airports is in passenger processing technology, followed by tech to improve passenger services and information.

Francesco Violante, SITA CEO, said: “Airports continue to invest in information technology to improve their operations and services. Our survey this year clearly shows that passengers are at the heart of this investment. As passenger traffic grows and airports aim to improve the passenger experience, technology is providing essential solutions, despite fluctuations in airport revenues.”

Some key hightlights of the 10th annual SITA survey, which was produced in association with Airports Council International (ACI) and Airline Business (see infographic below):

• By 2016, 95% of airports plan to invest in mobile apps to provide status information on flights and the airport, and to help passengers navigate through the airport.
• 75% of airports will offer passenger services via social media by 2016, up from 56% today.
• By 2016, passengers can expect to see baggage self-service go mainstream, with more than 80% of airports around the world providing bag tag printing and assisted bag drop.
• Business intelligence (BI) is expected to play a dominant role – 80% of airports plan to invest in new BI solutions for revenue optimisation and management by 2016. Airport operations, passenger flow monitoring and airport resource management represent other priorities for BI investment. This is consistent with airports’ declared focus to use BI to improve operational awareness and the passenger experience.
• However, only 8% of airports surveyed have fully achieved the data quality requirements for their current BI initiatives. Data access and integration will continue to present challenges for airports as they implement BI solutions.

The tenth edition of the SITA Airport IT Trends Survey is based on responses from participants representing more than 255 airports globally. The survey covers airports from all major regions of the world and represents 54% of global passenger traffic.