Airports Go Beyond Contactless Tech to Cope With Returning Passenger Rush
Photo Credit: Back in 2019, DFW International Airport worked with Emirates Airlines to test one-step biometric boarding on selected flights, cutting out the need for a boarding pass at the departure gate. DFW International Airport
Skift Take
Many airports have pushed through years' worth of digital transformation in months. But are they ready to cope with a rising tide of passenger traffic?
The pandemic pushed many airports to the limit as traffic came to a standstill. But travelers have begun to fly again — at least domestically in many markets. Airports have begun to shift their tech spending from short-term needs, such as contactless tech, to longer-term innovation, such as systems that can pinpoint inefficient operational practices.
For now, the need for health passports and test certificates risks creating bottlenecks when international travel resumes because of the difficulty of processing different documents and certifications.
"Without an automated solution for Covid-19 checks, we can see the potential for significant airport disruptions on the horizon," said Willie Walsh, Director General of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), in May. "Already, average passenger processing and waiting times hav
