In early August, the White House published information highlighting a proposed Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which mentions $25 billion dedicated to address airport repair and maintenance backlogs, reduce congestion and emissions, and drive low-carbon technologies near airports. While this influx of funding is a step in the right direction, the plan shined a spotlight on a fundamental challenge facing U.S. airports today.

A 2019 study by ACI found that U.S. airports were “terminally challenged” and in serious need of updates – to the tune of nearly $130 billion – specifically ones that can withstand several decades. This is partially due to the fact that many leading U.S. airports were built more than 40 years ago, preceding decades of record passenger growth numbers. On top of this infrastructure challenge, today’s airports must meet new safety demands considering the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, specifically with challenges around social distancing and technology that minimizes contact (i.e.: ‘touchless technology’).

As the industry considers critical airport investments and opportunities for revitalization, technology will play a critical role. By bringing technology to the forefront of pandemic-era airport design, we can create future-proof airports with scalable solutions that can effectively cater to passengers’ COVID-era needs, all while simultaneously creating greater operational efficiencies. This shifts the emphasis away from bricks and mortar to technology-driven design.

Building a Future-Proof Airport

When approaching airport construction or renovation, one challenge is determining how to make the facility future-proof. How can we ensure the airport will not only work well for today’s travelers and technology, but also for technology innovations decades into the future? The key is integrating the right technology and integrating it as soon as possible in the planning and design processes.

Mobile-Driven Solutions

By modifying traditional lobby designs to move away from agent-assisted counters and toward more emphasis on mobile-enhanced self-service, travelers can receive the autonomy they desire. Solutions like self-tagging kiosks, self-bag drop systems and e-gates support passengers by allowing them to arrive at the airport “ready to fly.” This approach frees up budget that would otherwise be dedicated to fixed workstations and can instead be invested towards self-service units. These mobile-based solutions also benefit the staff and crew, enabling airports to free up valuable space while allowing agents to interact with travelers on-demand more easily.

Seamless Passenger Journeys

A low-touch passenger experience is more important than ever from a health and safety perspective. Integrating technologies like facial biometrics that support a low-touch or touchless travel experience while optimizing passenger processing ensures an airport will stay fit for purpose for years to come. 

A Foundation of Connectivity

Network and connectivity requirements need to be considered from the outset for any airport undergoing future construction or renovation. This is critical to supporting security/camera systems, IoT, internet and power across all passenger touchpoints. Ensuring this consideration is taken into account as early as possible in the design-build phase allows the technical foundation of the airport to be easily biometric-enabled, scalable and ready for change even before the technology is activated. This connectivity also serves a valuable purpose in supporting Airport-Collaborative Decision Making (A-CDM), bringing together stakeholders to make operational decisions based on accurate, timely information. Approaching airport construction through a data-driven lens enables airports and airlines to respond to things like fluctuating flight activity, border closures/openings, and changing health regulations.

Cost Savings & Recovery

In addition to providing the scalability necessary for a future-proof airport, these technologies drive operational efficiencies and help airports achieve important KPIs while slashing costs. Take Istanbul Airport as one example. After deploying SITA’s Smart Path solution, the airport saw a 30 percent reduction in boarding time and increased satisfaction of participating passengers and airlines. Further, the shorter aircraft turnaround times helped meet goals for reducing carbon emissions, supporting the drive toward a sustainable industry.

A technology-informed approach to planning construction allows airports to enhance the passenger experience while maximizing operational efficiencies and minimizing costs. It also helps aid in airport recovery in today’s landscape. The severe airport shutdown in 2020 forced the air transport industry to focus on driving new cost efficiencies. To solve these new efficiency and safety challenges, the industry turned to technology, reprioritizing where they invest in many cases.

Investing with Intention

The Biden administration’s infrastructure plan is bringing airport infrastructure investment back into focus. As figures are finalized, it will be our job as industry leaders to invest with intention, keeping technology at the forefront of construction plans and conversations. As we look to the future of airport construction and aviation at large, aligning technology with physical construction is the key to future success and modern operations – today and decades to come.

Sherry Stein has over 20 years in travel technology experience, with a passion for business transformation and technology innovation. In 2015, Sherry joined SITA Lab where she leads the strategic research program focused on co-innovation with industry partners to evaluate blockchain, biometrics, and digital data technologies as tools to create a secure, frictionless travel experience and simplify the complexity of air industry supply chain processes.