SITA and Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) are trialling the use of beacons to provide information directly to passengers’ mobile devices, with more than 50 beacons already installed in Terminal 1.
Beacon technology triggers the display of location-relevant information, such as directions to the traveller’s boarding gate or store discounts in the retail areas, on passengers’ mobile phones and tablets.
Airports and airlines can therefore provide passengers with directions, walk times to gates, lounge access and boarding alerts.
By providing timely information and guiding passenger movement, airports can help reduce congestion and bottlenecks, improve passenger flow and ensure smoother boarding and punctual departures, and even encourage travellers to spend extra time in the retail area.
SITA is using interactive maps for the trial in HKIA’s Terminal 1. The airport technology solutions provider has also established a Common-Use Beacon Registry that enables all airlines, retails and service providers to offer their services over shared infrastructure, eliminating the need for each user to manage their own beacons.
Ilya Gutlin, SITA president, Asia-Pacific, said: “Beacon technology is a win-win for passengers, airlines and airports. Clearly knowing where you are and how long it will take to get to the next stage of your journey makes the experience much more relaxing. Everyone benefits when passengers are enjoying themselves.”
