Ten Technologies Airport Should Keep an Eye On
Technology has always been at the forefront of evolution in the aviation industry. The new and emergent technologies that have the potential to enhance the customer experience and increase operational proficiency on every passenger processing stages both on the ground and in-flight. We would like to introduce some of the interesting technologies that airports and airlines should keep an eye on for dealing with airport IT competitiveness to improving passenger experiences. Here, we highlight the first three of interesting “Ten Technologies Airport Should Keep an Eye On”.

Blockchain Technology
Blockchain technology is literally a chain of blocks, which refers to an information storage platform decentralizing and distribute information across multiple computer networks. This platform does not require an intermediate during the transaction, nevertheless, it offers a very less chance of information mislaid. The Blockchain makes the trusted and reliable transaction, as well as the ability of data verification. It not only commonly used in the financial industry, but the Blockchain technology becomes likely to be used in several concerns both government sectors and private business sectors.

World Economic Forum or WEF predicted the number of international passengers will grow up to 1.8 billion in 2030 that is a 50% increase from 2016. Moreover, WEF also anticipates that the tendency of the volume of travel will continue to increase steadily. That means the existing system and structure of many airports could not be support for their passengers as expected.

Regarding airlines business, Blockchain technology can use in the process of authentication by verifying with the encrypted information in the server instead of checking with a passport. Besides, the information that is stored in the Blockchain system will be sent to the department control system of airline and office of Immigration before passengers arrive at the airport. This technology can reduce the process of checking a document so, it does not only increase convenience to passengers but also prevent a forged document as well.

Biometric Technology
Biometric technologies commonly refer to the use of technology to identify a person by individual unique physical and behavioral characteristics then compare the information against stored information, and either accept or deny an individual based on the comparison. Biometrics offer potentially significant benefits to the air transport industry, being incorporated into the evolution of self-service taking place across the world to increase security effectiveness while improving efficiency and passenger experience.

Potential uses for biometric technologies in airports include access control, single sign-on, check-in, boarding, immigration, payment, and baggage tracking. There is not only fingerprints, but facial, voice, and iris recognition are all common place in many walks of life, and due to the added security and offering a way to process passenger through airports faster and cheaply such systems proposition. It is likely we will see it being used more and more airports worldwide in the coming years.

However, there are privacy questions, the critics concern about when authorities have the biometric database, you are giving up control over how the government can use it. An individual’s identity needs to be recorded securely, for using biometrics effectively. With the rising use of biometrics for identity verification, Transport Security Administration of the United States is evaluating the operational and security impacts of using passengers’ biometrics to verify their identities as well.

According to the SITA 2018 Air Transport IT Insights, over the next three years, 77% of airports and 71% airlines are planning major programs or R&D in biometric ID management. In November 2018, Atlanta’s Hartsfield Jackson International Airport and Delta Air Lines opened the US’ first curb-to-gate biometric terminal, which assures to improve aviation security, seamless passenger journey, and moving travelers faster through screening. Furthermore, Airports in countries such as Britain, Singapore, Japan, and China reportedly already brought in biometric check-in and boarding capability at some gates and terminals. This year, Dubai airport decides to open a newly automated form of passport control, so people’s identity will be checked as they walk through a sort of virtual aquarium that has cameras masked as fish.

 

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Cyber Security
Cyber security is the method of protecting systems, networks, and programs from digital attacks. These cyber-attacks are usually aimed at accessing, changing, or destroying sensitive information; eliciting money from users; or interrupting normal business processes.

BBC reported that British Airways is facing a record fine of £183m for 2018’s breach of its security systems. BA said hackers had carried out a “sophisticated, malicious criminal attack” on its website. The incident took place after users of British Airways’ website were redirected to a fraudulent site. Through this fake site, details of about 500,000 customers were harvested by the attackers.

With this kind of situation, airports and airlines are increasingly more turning to an extensive vary of technology to higher control their operations and provide an improved service to their passengers. Securing these technology systems, protecting the information and data that these systems manage, requires a high-quality cyber security solution.

In addition, the aviation industry depends heavily on computer systems in its ground and flight operations. The security of the airline systems can precisely impact the operational safety and efficiency of the industry, and indirectly impact its service, reputation and financial health. Due to this reason, cyber security can help companies to prevent and protect the sensitive data and information from accessing, changing, or destroying.

According to the SITA Airline IT Trends 2016, survey reveals that 91% of respondents plan to invest in cyber security programs over the next three years and 63% said that cyber security could be a board-level responsibility at their airline, whereas 94% of airports are investing in cyber security incident response management.