When will biometrics become the norm in air travel? Could this mean the digitisation of passports?
Barbara Dalibard - The number of biometric devices in airports has almost doubled in the space of a year. Today, this technology is present in 44 % of platforms. The technology is now mature. The question now is the speed of implementation, the budgets required, and of course the management of passenger data. SITA is one of the founding members of the Sovrin Foundationwhich, using technologies based on blockchainThe aim is to enable each individual to decide which data to share with which actor. We are working on a ethics charter around passenger data and biometrics, because this is a crucial issue. I think that one day, and this is already technically possible, we could integrating the passport on your mobilemake the mobility remote control.
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How do you see the airport of the future?
Barbara Dalibard - The new infrastructures will be able to incorporate all the technological improvements from the outset, as is the case for Terminal 4 of Changi or in the Middle East. As for the existing airports, we can't transform everything at once. Air traffic is expected to continue to grow worldwide, even if growth will probably not be at the level forecast, and there is already a heavy congestion in airports. The aim is to use new technologies to make your journey more fluidbut also for decentralise certain actions. For example, you could leave your luggage close to your home and collect it directly at its destination, as is the case with the Japan for passengers on the Shinkansen. A lot of work is being done to reduce the use of space, which is limited at airports. Airports and airlines are debating this development. Airports see themselves more and more as a place to "enjoy lifewhile the companies want an extremely efficient infrastructure. There is a certain tension, for defining the right model between well-being and efficiency. Whatever the case, airports will be transformed. According to one study, one minute freed up in the airport journey corresponds to $0.70 in additional expenditure. So the less passengers have to queue, the more they will spend, which is obviously positive for the airport's business model.
we're not heading for an empty airport
What place will be left for people in tomorrow's airport?
Barbara Dalibard - The transfer of resources to airports must also take place to better accommodate tomorrow's travellers. The more frequent travellers are autonomous the more satisfied they are. It's a question of giving them the power to manage their movements within the airport, whether it's a question of baggage drop-off points or police checks. But we're not heading for an empty airport! With Europe's ageing population, some passengers will need assistance and support. This was the logic of those in charge of the new Terminal 4 at Changi: automating the journey of certain passengers allows us to spend more time with those who need it, to provide them with a quality service.
SITA's field of action is not limited to the ground: what issues are you working on in terms of on-board connectivity?
Barbara Dalibard - In fact, connectivity is our core business. On board the aircraft, our mission covers both the cabin, with, for example, the issue of WiFi and the cockpit. We are working on theconnected aircraftto give the pilot the means tooptimise your routeto avoid turbulence and consume less fuel. We are also working on communication with air traffic control. For example, in a context of airport congestion, this involves sending the necessary information to the aircraft in real time. In this way, the pilot can anticipate and reduce his speed in order to land directly, rather than having to circle the airport for 20 minutes, which emits a lot of noise. CO2. He makes sure that the right information is sent at the right time, in the interests of everyone.
The flying taxi: why not?
Hyperloop, flying taxis: how do you see the new forms of mobility expected in the more or less long term?
Barbara Dalibard - I worked on the subject ofHyperloop in my former role [as Director General of SNCF Voyages, editor's note]. There are two problems: the acceleration and deceleration If you're transporting parcels, you'll have to overcome some very tough obstacles, but travellers will need to have their hearts firmly in the right place! There's also the question of securitysignalling systems. What happens if there is an incident with the preceding cell? How do you stop at a speed of 1000 km/h? I'm not saying that it can't be managed, but it seems to me that today's technology is a long way from being able to deal with these issues properly from a safety point of view. On theelectric aircraftThere may be drones that carry passengers, drones that carry goods, drones that carry goods. flying taxis... We're seeing prototypes of electrical appliances for two, three or even four people, which didn't exist five years ago. The subject is always the weight of the battery. But we will undoubtedly be able to overcome the obstacles. Technology is advancing, we're going to make progress. The flying taxi: why not?
