In the news: SITA’s report on IT in air transport highlighting the aviation industry’s investments in biometrics, Travelport’s new managing director for Asia, more partnership in the airline and distribution sectors.
Travel Technology: Airlines, airports are investing in biometrics to deliver secure and easy travel
Airlines are investing in biometrics to provide guests secure seamless travel. (Image credit: IlkerErgun/iStock-Getty Images)
The aviation industry is turning to biometric technology to make travel for their customers safe and seamless, with 71% of airlines and 77% of airports planning major programme of R&D in biometrics ID management in the next three years.
This is revealed in the SITA 2018 Air Transport IT Insights report, which shows how biometrics are being incorporated into the evolution of self-service at the world’s airports.
Several airports (working with airlines) in Asia, Australia, the UK and the UK are already trialling biometric facial recognition technology for check-in or boarding. Among them are Narita (Japan), Beijing Capital International Airport (China), Singapore Changi Airport’s new Terminal 4, Johor’s Senai International Airport (with AirAsia, Malaysia), Sydney Airport (with Qantas, Australia) and Los Angeles Airport (US).
According to SITA, it is already delivering identity management solutions including biometric systems. The most common of these (solutions) – identity verification at self-service check-in kiosks – is used at 41% of airports and 74% have plans to deploy the technology by end 2021.
Self-boarding gates, which use biometrics with travel documentation such as a passport, are set to become commonplace over the next three years as 59% of airports and 63% of airlines are expected to use them.
The industry, however, faces challenges for the full adoption of biometrics for passenger identity checks; more than one third of airlines cite integration of the tools and technologies at airports, and a lack of standards for processes and technologies for integrating checks.
Airports are facing a similar situation, although 39% of them say meeting government and legislative requirements is a major challenge.
Blockchain is also being explored for passenger identity management, with 40% of airlines and 36% of airports stating this technology can help streamline this process by reducing the need for multiple ID checks.
The report notes that investment in technology is rising. It forecasts airlines will set aside 3.67% of revenue for IT, and airports 5.69% of revenue in 2018.
Airlines are also investing in new technologies including artificial intelligence (AI) with 84% of carriers planning to have major or R&D programmes by 2021, compared to 52% last year.
Airports too are investing in AI with 61% planning a major programme or R&D over the next three years, up from up from just 34% in 2017.
How each uses AI is differ. Airlines are looking at AI for virtual agents and chatbots with 85% planning to use it here by 2021. Some 79% of airports are currently using, or planning to use, AI for predictive analysis to improve operational efficiency.
Barbara Dalibard, SITA CEO, said it was encouraging to see the aviation industry investing in biometric technology but added that collaboration was key to deliver safe and smooth travel.
“It is clear that the will of the industry is to change the way we travel by improving efficiency and making the passenger journey as secure and seamless as possible. This requires a concerted and aligned drive, true collaboration, and SITA is fully committed to this.”
• SITA’s 2018 Air Transport IT Insights is available here.
People: Ming Foong to lead Travelport’s business in Asia as regional MD
Ming Foong tasked with growing business in Asia.
Travelport has appointed Ming Foong as regional managing director of Asia, based in Hong Kong, to manage and grow the company’s business in the region (excluding Japan and India).
Most recently the managing director for Greater China Region and online business group APAC, Ming will continue to be based in Hong Kong and report to Mark Meehan, MD Travelport’s newly formed Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa (APACMEA) region.
The travel commerce company said that since joining the company in 2012 Ming “has been instrumental in growing Travelport’s business in the Asia Pacific region.” He and his team, harnessing the rapid growth of the online travel market, have implemented a series of innovative business initiatives to expand the company’s portfolio across APAC, as well as formulated partnerships with OTAs, traditional offline agencies and corporate TMC customers.
Commenting on his new role Ming said he was “happy to embark on this new opportunity, to lead the business at an exciting time. I look forward to working with the travel communities across the region and to bring more business ideas to fruition.”
Aviation: Bangkok Airways signs on to Amadeus PSS solutions
Bangkok Airways is using technology to deliver personalised traveller experience. (image credit: Bangkok Airways)
Bangkok Airways has chosen Amadeus Altéa passenger service system (PSS) solutions to deliver a more flexible personal experience, from booking to boarding, to its guests.
Using the full Amadeus Altéa Suite, which includes reservations, inventory, ticketing and departure control capabilities, the Thailand-based reginal carrier can streamline and improve all core airline processes including reservation, inventory and flight management.
The solutions also enable the airline to provide faster and simpler check-in for travellers, re-accommodate disrupted passengers in seconds, improve on-time performance and consistent and automatic application of customer preferences at every touch point.
Puttipong Prasarttong-Osoth, president of Bangkok Airways, said with Amadeus solutions the airline could offer its customers innovative and personalised services.
As the partnership with Amadeus gives the airline access to a global community of airlines investing in modern technologies it “will support our ambitions to create an ecosystem within the airline industry,” he added.
Technology: TrustYou merges direct messaging tool with Frontdesk Anywhere
Hoteliers can communicate directly with guests.(Image credit: MangoStar_Studio/iStock-Getty Images)
Guest feedback platform TrustYou has integrated its Guest Messaging solution into cloud-based Frontdesk Anywhere, a property management system.
The collaboration, through an API connection, combines guest data. Alongside the standard features of a PMS (Property Management System) hotels are able to communicate directly with guests, as well as set tasks and automated messages.
“Although invisible to travellers the integration between Frontdesk Anywhere and the messaging features enable a higher level of personalisation, and give hoteliers valuable insights into the guest journey and the ability to adjust services accordingly,” said TrustYou in a statement.
Guest Messaging can be accessed through TrustYou’s guest feedback platform.
“Given the large number of software that hoteliers need to use on a daily basis, we acknowledge the importance of navigating through a number of systems and features in a fast and efficient way and with a single sign-in,” said Benjamin Jost, TrustYou co-founder and CEO.
The partnership enables hoteliers to do that as they are able to oversee and manage any task and directly communicate with guests from one place, he added.
• Featured image credit: metamorworks/iStock-Getty Images
