Page 27 - AAA MARCH - APRIL 2016 Online Magazine

FEATURE SITA

OPPOSITE TOP: “In an ideal world,
an unassisted bag drop is the best
solution,” says says Ilya Gutlin,
SITA’s President Asia-Pacific
LEFT: SITA works with major
airports and airlines globally on
implementing technology that can
improve both productivity and the
passenger experience
BOTTOm: Bag drop station is still
an investment for an airport, as an
unassisted bag drop represents a
process change for the airport and
airlines at the airport

Beacons for Baggage by 2018. Bag services are the steps of the before they move ahead with the investment.
One of the first manifestations of the IoT journey where beacons will be most used by In an ideal world, an unassisted bag drop is
in the air transport industry is the use of then – 44 per cent of airlines are planning to the best solution. Brisbane airport is a great
beacons. “This will be the first area that use them at bag drop and 43 per cent at bag example; it has a couple of bag drop stations,
airlines will see the benefits of sensors claim. which process each bag in less than 20
and the ability to match location with other “These are the key pain points in the seconds,” Gutlin informs.
information,” says Gutlin. passenger journey over which the airlines SITA works with major airports and
According to SITA, today just nine per have direct control and it is encouraging for airlines globally on implementing technology
cent of airlines are using or trialing beacons passengers to see the airlines investing in that can improve both productivity and the
but this is set to rise rapidly to 44 per cent new technologies at these steps.” he adds. passenger experience. The firm’s research
Communications are set to develop has shown 68 per cent of passengers prefer
rapidly from the first wave of notification automated bag drops. Melbourne Airport
services, which are now established, said a trial of the technology for several
to the point where interactive mobile international carriers cut the floor space
communication becomes the standard for needed in half and reduced passenger
the majority of airlines. The focus of these waiting times by 50 per cent.
new services will be to use location-based SITA recently acquired private
information, in many cases from beacons, company Type22, a market innovator in
to solve baggage-related issues and help the development of self-service bag drop
passengers board on time with notifications solutions. The acquisition of the Netherlands-
based on their location, even before they based company is expected to strengthen
reach the airport. SITA’s position as market leader of end-to-
“It is early days for the IoT but it is end technology solutions that enhance the
becoming a reality...Together airlines and passenger experience.
airports can use beacons as a gateway to “The Type22 self bag drop portfolio,
the IoT, creating intelligent airports and fully including Scan&Fly and Drop&Fly, will
exploiting business intelligence and analytics complement SITA’s suite of intelligent
to deliver a better passenger experience.” airport IT solutions designed to improve the
entire passenger process from curb to arrival
Bag Drop hall, resulting in reduced costs and improved
Checking-in baggage is one of the most customer service,” Gutlin says.
stressful experience at the airport and SITA As the SITA official says: “Transformation
feels the right bag drop solution can get is the key. Because that’s the experience the
every journey off to a great start. next generation of air travellers will expect.” To
“Bag drop station is still an investment be transformed, virtually through the digital
for an airport, as an unassisted bag drop world or in reality via entertainment while
represents a process change for the airport traveling on a new supersonic airplane.
and airlines at the airport. So there is still
further analysis and proof of concept that
needs to be made by a number of our clients
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