Conversation Session

This white paper provides an overview of the top five most impactful innovations that will be implemented by many large international airports by 2030. These innovations have the potential to transform airport operations, enhance the passenger experience, and improve airport efficiency and sustainability.

Firstly, biometric technology is poised to revolutionize the passenger journey, reducing wait times and improving security. By 2030, facial recognition and fingerprint scanning technologies will be widely implemented for passenger identification, boarding, and baggage handling.

Secondly, autonomous vehicles will become commonplace in airport operations, from baggage carts to passenger shuttles. The implementation of autonomous technology will lead to increased efficiency and reduced congestion, improving the overall airport experience.

Thirdly, blockchain technology will be used to improve transparency and security across the aviation industry, from baggage tracking to flight management. By 2030, airports will be using blockchain to securely share data across the industry, resulting in faster and more reliable airport operations.

Fourthly, artificial intelligence will be widely used to optimize airport operations, from predicting passenger flows to predicting maintenance needs. The use of AI will lead to greater efficiency and cost savings for airports, while also enhancing the passenger experience.

Finally, sustainable aviation fuels will become a key focus for many airports, as the industry seeks to reduce its carbon footprint. By 2030, airports will be using sustainable fuels in their ground and air operations, resulting in a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

In conclusion, these five innovations will be the most impactful for international airports by 2030, and airport executives and their senior staff should start planning now to adopt these technologies to remain competitive and sustainable in the future.

Currently, some airports and airlines are exploring the use of blockchain technology to improve baggage tracking. For example, in 2018, the Geneva Airport launched a pilot project in collaboration with blockchain startup Winding Tree to test the use of blockchain for baggage tracking. The project aimed to improve the efficiency of the baggage handling process by providing a secure and transparent way to track baggage from check-in to final destination.

Another early innovation using blockchain technology in airports is the "Known Traveller Digital Identity" (KTDI) program, which is a joint initiative between the World Economic Forum and the Canadian and Dutch governments. The program aims to create a digital identity system for travelers that will enable them to share their personal information securely and efficiently with various stakeholders, including airlines, airports, and border control agencies. The system uses blockchain technology to store and share data securely, ensuring privacy and reducing the risk of identity theft.

Blockchain technology can also be used for flight management, specifically to create a more efficient and transparent system for managing flight data. For example, airlines and airports can use blockchain technology to securely and transparently share flight data, such as flight plans and weather updates, to improve operational efficiency and safety.

Finally, blockchain technology can also be used for smart contracts in airport operations, such as ground handling services, leasing agreements, and other contractual arrangements. Smart contracts are self-executing contracts with the terms of the agreement between buyer and seller being directly written into lines of code. By using blockchain technology, smart contracts can be created and executed securely and transparently, reducing the need for intermediaries and increasing efficiency in airport operations.

In conclusion, while the adoption of blockchain technology is still in its early stages in the aviation industry, there are many potential use cases for this technology in airport operations, from baggage tracking to flight management and smart contracts. As the technology continues to mature, we can expect to see more innovative applications of blockchain in the aviation industry.