Biometric identification instead of a passport in Dubai. Photo: Emirates The aviation industry is advancing worldwide, and airports around the globe are introducing new, innovative, and exciting technologies. Here are some of the most intriguing of them.
One of the refreshing innovations at many airports across Europe is the innovative CT machines that put an end to fatigue in the scanning area of the bags that we take on the plane with us.
Innovative screening devices at European airports. Photo: Smiths DetectionNew CT equipment has already been installed at most airports in Germany, as well as in Romania, Italy, and Switzerland, most of which are from Smiths Detection, allowing passengers to carry up to 2 liters of liquids. The 100 ml limit at these airports has been eliminated. In addition, the new equipment eliminates the need to remove computers or tablets from bags.
Bottom line, the current new situation is a bit amusing, with the controllers mostly yelling at the passengers time and time again to "don't take anything out of the bags, put everything back in."
Encouraged by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), more and more airports are moving to facial recognition and biometrics, allowing passengers to move through the process with digital identification, rather than repeatedly showing a passport or documents. Airports in France, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, among others, are already using these advanced technologies, and Indonesia has introduced an innovative “biometric corridor.”
In Israel, too, there are already stations operating to print luggage shipping labels independently at Drop Off stations. But you also need to get to know the baggage lockers at Frankfurt Airport, and the sophisticated stations we encountered at Sydney Airport.
Frankfurt Airport. Photo: LufthansaIn addition to checking in and issuing boarding passes independently, Lufthansa passengers at Frankfurt Airport have long been able to scan, weigh and check their luggage in special compartments. In fact, from arrival at the airport to boarding, almost the entire process can be completed without meeting any humans.
Smart baggage drop-off points at Sydney Airport. Photo: ShutterstockSydney Airport has similar self-service machines that allow you to print your tags, weigh and check your bags yourself. Don't worry, if you need help, there are always ground staff to assist you.
The latest innovation is that of London's Gatwick Airport, which is redefining the term "robotic parking." The service, developed in collaboration with Stanley Robotics, allows passengers to leave their vehicles in a designated parking bay, without handing over the keys, and proceed directly to the terminal.
Photo: Gatwick AirportThe passenger enters their vehicle into a closed, private compartment, scans the booking details, parks the vehicle, and exits, leaving the keys with them. The robot then takes action, lifting the vehicle using its wheels and moving it to a secure parking spot.
When booking, the passenger is also required to provide return flight details. The system tracks the expected return date, and when the passenger returns to Gatwick, the vehicle will be waiting for them in the collection bay. After scanning the booking, the bay door opens and the passenger can enter the vehicle and set off.
While in Israel there are airlines that do not have an app at all, in the world airline apps have become an integral part of our lives at airports.
Wizz Air app. Photo: ShutterstockBooking tickets, boarding passes, changing departure gates, and basically everything we need is on the phone in our pocket.
One of the latest innovations that came specifically from the low-cost airline Wizz Air is that in the event of a flight delay, by law after a few hours, passengers are entitled to receive vouchers for food and drinks. In the very near future, the vouchers will no longer be manual but will also be entered into the Wizz Air app and you will be able to redeem them digitally at the cafes and restaurants specified in the app.