A new study commissioned by Amadeus and titled Travel Technology Investment Trends Report, has found that airports are expected to increase investment in technology by an average of 17% in 2024. Machine learning, generative AI, cloud computing and digital payments top the list of priorities in terms of broad technologies to invest in both in the coming year and over a five year horizon.
Data from the study points to shared airport and airline objectives, with both seeking to improve the passenger experience. Senior airline leaders confirmed that ‘improving the passenger experience at the airport’ is their top technology priority. Similarly, airport leaders also stated this objective as the number one reason for investing in technology.
Biometrics are viewed as a transformative technology, with 66% of airport and 65% of airline executives planning to implement biometrics at key airport service points like check-in, bag-drop and boarding over the coming three years. The survey also highlights the desire of airports and airlines to work better together to reach their shared objectives with 64% of airport leaders planning to ‘implement improved data sharing agreements with airlines’ over the coming three years.
In the longer term (five years), the top technology for airport leaders according to Amadeus’ study is ‘more advanced and collaborative technology at the Airport Operational Control Centre (APOC).This will enable airports and their partners to simulate the impact of operational decisions before they happen and deliver new unified communications channels to work more responsively with stakeholders like airlines.
Commenting on the study, Holger Mattig, SVP Product Management, Airport and Airline Operations at Amadeus said: “We see from this study that airports and airlines face common challenges and share common objectives. Whether it’s transforming the end-to-end passenger experience with biometrics, reducing baggage delay issues or better managing day-to-day operations with more collaborative technology at hte APOC, everyone wants the same outcomes.”
He added: “The whole is greater than the sum of its parts – nowhere is that more true than airport operations. To maximise outcomes from this 17% increase in spend, it’s important technology is viewed as a way to better connect stakeholders and to establish a more mature ecosystem in aviation. That’s how we’ll improve on-time performance and deliver more value for passengers.”
Image: Amadeus Report: Travel Technology Investment Trends 2024
