Air transport is now more intuitive through greater control over technologies by the passenger and an increase in the number of à la carte products. According to various surveys carried out among passengers, this is in line with their desire for a better service. faster, less intrusive and partially automated. Both airlines and airports are responding to this demand with the "New Experience Travel Technologies" (NEXTT), designed by IATA "to develop a common vision to improve experience, guide industry investment and help governments improve the regulatory framework"says Anne Carnall, director of the NEXTT programme. Through NEXTT, the organisation responsible for air transport is seeking to break down the barriers between technological solutions in order to go further in the integration of airports and public transport in the air travel chain. "Initially, the NEXTT project focused on technologyexplains its director. But this focus has broadened to include commercial and behavioural change, as well as how airports and airlines can develop their businesses and increase capacity.." For example, the programme will make it possible to better passenger information of any changes to their journey, such as delays or cancellations, and of course suggest alternatives. NEXTT, One ID aims to provide safe and efficient travel with the help of a reliable digital identityincluding biometric recognition and the sharing of information on passenger travel habits. According to Anne Carnall, IATA is working to harmonise the use of information and data exchange protocols in order to guarantee the protection of privacy. One of the other key points of this programme is the integration of ground transport to the overall offer. In the very near future, travellers will be able to combine a flight with a train or public transport ticket. According to IATA, the future will also see the creation of areas designed to facilitate passenger transfers, in particular for the handling of luggagebut also the creation of city-centre check-in pointsThe new terminals will be secured in the same way as airport terminals. For the moment, only Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur and Seoul offer examples of "city terminals" offering a complete check-in service. But other airports are also working on these new technologies in collaboration with IATA, including Dubai, London Heathrow, Amsterdam, Bangalore and Shenzhen.
Record investment in new technologies
At its Euro IT Summit event, held in Lisbon at the end of November, SITA published its SITA 2019 Air Transport IT Insights report. Based on a large panel of airlines (200 carrier managers, representing 30% of global traffic) and airports (264 hubs), this study gives a total of 50 billion dollars the amount of technological investment made by these two players in 2018: a record. These efforts have focused in particular on automating the passenger journey, with the result that satisfaction rates are up. " The good news is that the increase in investment in automated passenger screening is helping to make travel simpler and faster." says Matthys Serfontein, President of SITA Air Travel Solutions.
