Digital Transformation in Airports Takes Off with Biometrics and Blockchain

Digital Transformation in Airports Takes Off with Biometrics and Blockchain

Data monetization, product portfolio expansion, and diversification are key to exploiting emerging growth opportunities, finds Frost & Sullivan

LONDON, June 4, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Frost & Sullivan's recent analysis, Digital Transformation in Airports, reveals that increased passenger traffic and global capacity constraints will drive airport IT spending to $4.63 billion by 2023. Airports are developing their digital transformation roadmap in line with strategic planning activities to address key performance indicators across all areas of the airport operation.

Digital transformation in airports is creating growth opportunities across the globe with renewed commitment to infrastructure modernization and expansion creating a dynamic environment. In Europe, airports are motivated to invest in digitalizing operations due to physical infrastructure constraints, while Asia-Pacific airports are seen more open to innovation as a brand attribute and to enhance the airport experience. However, many airports endeavor to develop solutions in-house with local expertise and partnerships.

For further information on this analysis, please visit http://frost.ly/2i2

Technologies driving the digital transformation process in the airport environment include:

    --  Biometrics: Biometrics applications focus on border control, reducing
        bottlenecks by automating processes. The technology is now being
        introduced across all touchpoints, in the form of identity management
        for self-service kiosks, aiming to create seamless passenger journeys.
        In the future passengers will be submitting biometric data (enrollment)
        at the first airport touchpoint and will only need to verify their
        identity in all subsequent originating airport touchpoints, with the
        possibly to further extend this facility at destination airport
        touchpoints.
    --  Blockchain: Blockchain technology, as a trusted network for storing
        biometric and other personal data, can be used to create secure and
        faster passenger journeys. Blockchain could also prove to be the
        catalyst for a truly collaborative airport environment, among airport
        stakeholders that today work in silos. Passengers may be willing to
        share even more data about themselves, in exchange for valued
        personalized services and products, while blockchain eliminates any
        security or privacy concerns.
    --  Analytics: The data generated by various airport systems are collated
        and analyzed to provide historic, real-time and forecasted data that
        will empower the operator to take proactive steps to deal with peak
        operational periods and disruptions.
    --  Artificial Intelligence: Artificial Intelligence (AI) is already been
        used in narrow passenger-related applications, from chatbots to
        predicting preferences and recommending suitable products/services in
        the information and pre-travel stages of the passenger journey. It will
        be increasingly used in the e-commerce function of an airport, as well
        as in enabling operators to better manage airport spaces and allocating
        resources, according to optimized flow prediction models.

"Capacity constraints coupled with unprecedented growth in aircraft and passenger traffic, as well as competition and the promise of new non-aeronautical revenue streams necessitate a transformation in airports' value proposition, by leveraging emerging technologies and transitioning from a process centric to a passenger centric business model," said Renjit Benjamin, Senior Industry Analyst, Frost & Sullivan.

Benjamin further noted that among other growth opportunities, IT and airport system suppliers focus on data monetization and predictive operations. At the same time, major suppliers are entering strategic partnerships and investing in innovative start-ups to fill capability gaps. Companies that specialize in big data analytics and cybersecurity are increasingly being targeted by incumbents.

"As airports transition to a data-driven infrastructure, there will be considerable investment in data analytics, storage, and security products and services. The industry will also witness the growth of end-to-end data platforms that consolidate airport functions and processes," concluded Benjamin.

Digital Transformation in Airports is part of Frost & Sullivan's global Aerospace, Defense & Security Growth Partnership Services program.

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Digital Transformation in Airports

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SOURCE Frost & Sullivan