The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is projecting eight billion travellers annually by 2040 (double the four billion travellers recorded in 2019), but are airports and airlines ready for this boom in air travel?
According to the Centre for Aviation, the industry invested in 225 new airport projects in 2022 in preparation for the swell in passenger traffic, but bricks and mortar infrastructure is only one part of the solution. Without innovative, adaptable digital solutions, airlines and airports will struggle to manage passenger numbers.
SITA’s latest white paper “Face the Future” highlights how the surge in passenger numbers places extraordinary pressure on existing and new air transport hubs, borders and airline resources.
Stefan Schaffner, VP of Airports at SITA explained: “SITA Smart Path biometrically enables every step of the passenger journey, from mobile enrollment to aircraft boarding and every point in between and beyond. With facial recognition across as many airport touch points as you need, it lets passengers manage their identity across their whole journey in a unique and touchless way. The final result is a radically improved travel experience.”
The white paper outlines more solutions using advanced biometrics technology, including SITA Flex, a common-use passenger processing platform and SITA Border Management, which covers border control, risk intelligence and travel authorisation.
