iGA Istanbul Airport has introduced a new service featuring Augmented Reality (AR) technology, providing passengers with information about the airport’s retail outlets by accompanying them around the International Terminal shopping area.
The AR technology allows users to see objects virtually and in 3D providing an interactive real-world environment.
The airport has created a virtual character, called CİGA, which accompanies the passengers on their route, providing information about the stores and directing them within iGA Istanbul Airport International Arrivals Bosphorus area. The character also presents special offers from participating retailers.
Once logged into the Istanbul Airport app, passengers can access the system through the AR tab. As CIGA approaches a store, the name of the store appears as a pop-up. When the user clicks on this, details about the store are shown below the name.
Aiming to transform the time spent at Istanbul Airport into a unique experience, iGA offers its passengers special deals and discount codes at member stores through its AR technology. Passengers can then benefit from discounts while shopping at stores with CİGA.
“Shopping using AR technology is extremely important in terms of being the first step towards the digitalisation of trade at iGA Istanbul Airport,” said Ersin İnankul, Chief Digital & Commercial Officer, iGA Istanbul Airport, who will be delivering a special presentation during the upcoming FTE World Airport Retailing Summit on how Istanbul Airport will use the metaverse, VR, AR, biometrics, robotics, contactless and mobile technology as part of its major e-commerce drive to create a world leading airport commercial proposition.
He added: “We are excited to implement a new application, which we have created to develop trade at our airport, together with our technological infrastructure and our wide scale that diversifies the services and shopping capabilities we offer our passengers. Our passengers will now be able to track dynamic campaigns and discount codes at iGA Istanbul airport through AR technology. This Marketplace, which we have created using Augmented Reality (AR) technology, will ensure a quick and easy shopping experience as well as add comfort to the shopping experience of passengers traveling from our airport.”
