December 16, 2011
Source: AFP – RELAXNEWS (English International Version)-12-15-11
Airports will have to reshape the way they do business: Are we ready?
Airports will have to reshape the way they do business in future if they are to see passenger numbers — and indeed passenger satisfaction — increase, according to a new report.
“Airports of the Future” has been launched in Hong Kong and comes from the minds of the people behind the CAP Strategic Research Ltd company, which “bases its forecast on 25 years experience & expertise in aviation research.”
“Passengers no longer enjoy air travel, especially those based in Europe and the US. They regard flying as expensive, stressful, time-consuming and uncomfortable,” the report notes.
As airlines struggle to make profits, costs at airports too will have to be cut.”The aviation industry therefore faces a difficult future. Airports and airlines will need to adapt,” claims CAP Strategic Research Ltd.
But it’s not all doom and gloom — by 2025 the company predicts air travel will be fun once more thanks to such developments as “Trusted Travellers” being able to bypass security; rapid, high-tech emigration and immigration; no shops at airports, just showrooms; airports operating 24 hours a day; totally new boarding procedures and no check-in desks or check-in luggage.
In analyzing its “key trends for the future,” the report points out that the concept of “No Check-In Desks” is already in operation with online check-in and self check-in machines/kiosks at airports. Among those first to take on this practice were Qantas and easyJet.
Traditional emigration and immigration procedures are already being phased out with the
INSPASS in the US, the Iris Recognition Immigration System (IRIS) at Heathrow, IACS at Changi in Singapore, ‘U-Airport’ at Incheon in Seoul and SmartGate between Australia and New Zealand, the report notes. Here in Hong Kong, residents flash their identity card, and confirm their identity with a thumb print.
Traditional shops, too, are on the way out at airports, according to the report, to be replaced by online purchasing at showrooms. The report points out that some airports already have “You Shop, We Drop” programs with passengers able to buy items and have them delivered to their homes. “If companies like Amazon and Taobao were to get involved in airport retailing then the showroom concept would develop very quickly,” says CAP Strategic Research.
CAP Strategic Research Ltd has offices in China, Hong Kong and Singapore and “specializes in surveying airline customer groups — from business & leisure travelers and corporate travel departments to travel agents, airports, F&B operators and retailers.”
MS
Copyright 2011 RelaxnewsAll Rights Reserved
Din Merican: the Malaysian DJ Blogger 
Semper Fi,
Passenger convenience must always be a priority. At the same time, airport management must ensure efficient and cost effective operations. This means they must pay attention to details and also think ahead.–Din Merican
Yes Passenger convenience and user friendly airport should be top priority. KLIA is not user friendly and passenger convenience is lacking when compared to Changi, Singapore. MAHB needs to take all these into consideration when building KLIA2 especially the electronic conveniences such as self check in, immigration checks and yes no retail business. KLIA is like a shopping mall instead of providing passenger conveniences like clean restroom, free wi-fi, free internet, lounges, affordable transit hotel within the transit area (unlike the present Pan Pacific where you have to clear Customs and Immigration) better signage and shorter immigration lines at both KLIA as well as LCCT.
It is taking ages to claim your luggage at KLIA, unlike our neighbour, singapore, where the luggage is waiting for you when you walk out.
Wow you are one lucky fellow Concerned Citizen, having your luggage waiting for you. It never happened to me at all airport I’ve travelled be it Singapore or KLIA, LHR or LAX. It takes approximately 10 minutes to debark an aircraft but it takes about 20 minutes to unload luggage, move them from the aircraft to the luggage sorting area and then depending on the distance it can take anything from 10 to 15 minutes to reach the particular carousel.