Modern technology helps airports maximize their time, money, and personnel. Reducing human intervention in specific processes often helps businesses accomplish goals in less time with fewer errors. For example, self-serve kiosks free up employees to help with other steps of the flight process and give passengers autonomy over their travel experience.
AI has changed business operations across many industries. In the air travel industry, this technology helps airport managers automate and enhance many processes, from forecasting demand and scheduling staff to inventory management, anomaly detection, and customer service. AI can use real-time data to predict passenger volumes, flight delays, weather conditions, and many other factors that impact airport operations. Airport managers can use this information to make decisions in real time, minimizing the effect of delays.
Customer service is another critical area where AI can relieve the burden on airport departments. Natural language processing and chatbots can communicate with passengers and staff, update their flight information, provide direction, and assist them in multiple scenarios.
Automation further improves customer experience by speeding up processes like printing boarding passes, creating shorter wait times and moving passengers through the process faster. Businesses can save on resource costs with machines that eliminate human error using automated scales to get precise luggage weights and databases to keep track of customer information for straightforward customer service.
3. BUDGET OPTIMIZATION
One of the most important aspects of running any business is organizing and allocating funds appropriately. Airport managers should track all business needs and compare those with associated costs to determine a proper budget.
Different business tools and decisions may even lower some operational costs. For example, automated services on the administrative and consumer end promote better budget tracking and provide better spending visibility. Automation also reduces costs by replacing time-consuming manual processes and freeing airport workers to focus on customer service.
4. CUSTOMER SERVICE
An airport’s success relies on its customers, who expect a high quality of service when choosing to fly out of a specific location. Comfort and convenience should be top priorities to boost customer retention. Airports that provide plenty of amenities for their guests can establish themselves as top-notch travel providers.
If space and budget allow, kiosks with various food and beverages and full-service restaurants meet some of the travelers’ basic needs. Bathrooms and seating areas should also be well-spaced and have room for everyone.
High-traffic areas should have more amenities to reduce waiting times and ensure all passengers can get what they need. Internet access and plenty of charging stations allow travelers to use their devices as they wait. Business travelers, especially, will benefit from the opportunity to get work done before their flights.
