In the timely world of airports, adaptability and renovation are the keys to satisfying the demands of modern travelers. From luxurious architecture to sophisticated flight assistance technologies along with intricate baggage handling systems, airports have evolved significantly to cater for the gradual rise of fliers in recent years.
Eways Aviation presents an insight into some of the ways in which we provide airport development services to enhance the flier experience throughout the world's up-and-coming airport destinations.
While contactless technology has been a subject of research and debate for years, the Covid-19 pandemic encouraged airports to speed up their implementation in an effort to minimize viral transmission and encourage social distancing.
Within the scope of airports, contactless technology is most applicable for check-in and baggage drop procedures as well as some security protocols. Amadeus for example, an industry leader in contactless technology has added a cloud platform that syncs with users’ phones and facilitates check-in and boarding procedures in airports.
“When we initially moved to the cloud back in 2015, we were doing something no one else was but now we’re seeing airports adopting that technology and the idea was always that it needs to be able to address any disruption that airports face. Nobody had Covid-19 in mind or the complexity it would have had, but the solutions that we had are helping airports increase passengers’ trust [in the fact] that their processes are safer and more secure than they used to be” explains Iyad Hindyeh - Amadeus Airport IT Global Head of Strategy Iyad Hindiyeh
The UAE is a fine example in the application of touchless-tech where Dubai Airport has successfully added a smart tunnel that uses facial recognition technology and databases to screen passengers as they enter the airport and so minimizes congestion and long queues. Abu Dhabi has also installed contactless elevators in the airport that allow users to select floors through signaling hand gestures to a sensor.
Furniture in airports is tailored to be compact, practical and fire-safe whilst complimenting aesthetics. As increased security measures have led to more time spent in airports, travelers expect to find more comfortable terminals in both the standard as well as more luxurious business and first-class lounges.
For the fortunate flier that encounters them, sleeping pods are the epitome of airport conveniences. First implemented in Abu Dhabi International, they have also been added to such airports as Noi Bai in Hanoi, Dubai and Munich. Sleeping pods are especially appreciated by travelers facing significant delays or long layovers.
Far from being simple mattresses and pillows, sleeping pods tend to take capsule form that gives their inhabitants privacy and isolation from ambient noise. Other features include such options as storage space for luggage, charging ports and air conditioning with the Nap Cab model going so far as to integrate an alarm clock and display flight information to prevent travelers from missing flights.
The main challenge associated with baggage management is that it must guarantee the efficient delivery of luggage whilst simultaneously ensuring that all cargo meets airline security regulations.
With airline travel seeing a global increase, baggage handling systems are fitted with modern solutions to save from airport congestion; using automated baggage sorting and screening technology to the addition of explosive and radioactive substance detectors, modern handling systems are capable of accurately processing thousands of bags per hour.
Bag-tracking, coming from industry pioneers such as SITA with the WorldTracer and Sky Assist (founders of BagAssist) allows airlines to electronically monitor the location of all luggage from check-in to landing. When applied, the technology significantly improved customer service relations in instances of lost baggage along with streamlining airline performance. Etihad Airways for example, claims a 20% drop in misplaced luggage along with effectively finding 90% of lost baggage since applying bag-tracking technology in 2015.
To ensure successful flight, planes must be serviced between flights whilst on the ground using a range of machinery and non-powered paraphernalia that ensures healthy aircraft mobility, easing cargo loading along with passenger boarding and disembarkment.
While at times aircraft feature integrated airstairs, larger vessels used by commercial fliers tend to rely on external mobile stairways and jet bridges to undergo boarding and exit routines safely. Furthermore, dollies are specialized trailers that are used to deliver and mount cargo to planes, with modern models adding braking systems and weather shields to protect from the elements. Another vital utility in ground handling services is refuelers, which as the name implies are vehicles that integrate jet fuel pumps allowing them to effectively approach aircraft stationed throughout airport complexes and restore fuel levels.
Ground handling services also encompass fire safety utilities that are designed specifically to extinguish fires and evacuate aircraft during emergencies.
Eways Aviation provides a wide range of up-to-date performance-enhancing utilities and solutions to help airports cope with the demands of an evolving world. With our experience of the aviation business and our intimated knowledge of local realities, Eways Aviation will always find the best-suited solution for any airport, whatever its size and its needs. Preparing for the end of the Coronavirus pandemic, we are set to supply airports with the essential means to safely welcome the surge of tourists and travelers as airline traffic returns to normal.
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