Despite its antiquity, contactless technology is now more important than ever because of the COVID-19 pandemic. This is particularly true in the airport industry, where contactless technology has been important in restoring travellers’ faith in using the facilities and gaining traction on the long road to recovery.
In an effort to improve employee and customer safety, many airport operators have made investments in cutting-edge contactless technologies, such as virtual queuing systems. It might catch your attention, though, because it has so much more to offer. When used at airports, virtual queuing and contactless technology offer the following benefits that increase efficiency, improve traveller satisfaction, and protect the industry from potential risks in the future.
- Check-in online
Today, a lot of airports provide self-service contactless check-in, letting travellers check in from the convenience of their own homes. It’s more contactless in terms of the immigration and arrival processes in that you receive your approvals via your app before to travelling. Post-pandemic, the airport would keep using online check-in.
- Intelligent baggage checkpoints
Self-service bag drops shorten check-in lines and wait periods at the airport, letting travellers travel less anxiously. Visit a smart baggage kiosk at the airport, put your bags on the belt, and scan your boarding pass after printing your bag tags and boarding card (or using a digital substitute). They may spend more time shopping or relaxing in the lounge because it’s quick and simple.
- Biometrics
Airports utilize biometrics technology, such as facial recognition, to avoid the need to manually examine travellers’ passports and other travel documents at various airport checkpoints. The opportunity to eliminate paper passports and enhance time efficiency exists with this contactless airport technology.
- Virtual queuing
Technology for virtual queuing assists in reducing airport lines. Passengers practically queue up by pre-booking an arrival time rather than standing in line to check in or go through security. Their free time is increased as a result, and they receive a notification on their smartphones when it is their turn to buy, eat, or relax. Virtual queuing technology is fantastic since it can be used anyplace that regular airport lines would normally be.
- Fast-track contactless
Fast track lanes are another method that airports use contactless technology to expedite passenger processing while avoiding lines and crowding.Passengers can buy a fast track e-ticket at the airport by scanning a QR code, which eliminates the need to stand in line.They can use their e-ticket to access the fast track lane and travel through the various airport checkpoints more quickly after purchasing it.
- Online client service
There are now staffing issues and cost-cutting measures at many airports. The concern is that this might result in diminished customer service. However, there is a method for airports to offer contact-free, digital customer care. Passengers can quickly access an AI chatbot that can respond to their FAQs by scanning a QR code with their phones via a digital customer service platform. Customers can call a remote customer service agent instead if it can’t be done.
- Contact-free KPI and feedback
The importance of gathering passenger input has never been greater, and the KPI & Feedback module made possible by seamless airport technology has made it simpler than ever. Employees standing about with clipboards in airports trying to get travellers’ attention are no longer necessary. Instead, they can leverage contactless QR code scanning at different airport touchpoints to entice travellers to provide real-time feedback.
Improved hygiene standards are just one of the many advantages of virtual queuing and contactless technologies for airports and travellers. There is less chance of COVID-19 and other viruses spreading when there are fewer surfaces for passengers to touch, fewer staff members they must interact with in person, and less space for people to cram in.
