The Rise of Portable Digitization in Airports
Revolutionizing Airport Kiosks with Intelligent Integration
Intelligent integration with portable digitization is revolutionizing how we use airport kiosks within the aviation industry. Portable kiosks are becoming a regular feature, providing adaptable and flexible options for airport infrastructure.
Read on to learn how portable digitization transforms the airport experience, from self-service check-ins to duty-free shopping.
What Is Portable Digitization?
First, we should clarify what we mean by portable digitization.
While digitization is the conversion of information from an analog to a digital format, portable digitization refers to the use of digital technology within portable kiosks. These kiosks can move and adapt to the needs of the airport and its customers. For example airports are increasingly deploying portable digitization for services such as:
– self-service check-in
– bag drop
– printing digital boarding passes
– e-commerce opportunities.
Portable digitization is becoming an ingrained part of daily existence. Wearable technology for instance is valued at $61.3 billion and on an upward trajectory, while mobile phones continue to evolve, with increased portable digitization options.
The aviation sector recognizes these trends, integrating portable airport kiosks alongside current static solutions. Combining digital solutions within the airport allows for optimized operations and a streamlined passenger experience.
Key Applications of Portable Digitization in Airports
Airports are becoming more like smart cities, with increasing technology needs and commerce opportunities. And it’s no wonder the market is growing rapidly, almost back to its pre-pandemic rate of air traffic.
What’s interesting to note is that, as airports thrive, the global portable kiosk market is also seeing significant growth, businesses within the aviation sector are increasingly seeking adaptable and versatile solutions to optimize the customer experience and streamline operations.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the key applications airport kiosks are being put to:
Mobile Check-in and Boarding
Self-service check-in kiosks are one of the first use cases in the digitisation of airports.
Passengers can access omnichannel user experiences within one interface, helping streamline the journey and improve efficiencies. From using the kiosk for check-in to printing boarding passes, integrations within the kiosk allow the user to tailor their journey to meet their individual needs.
Portable kiosks can further improve the passenger experience. Their adaptability enables them to be strategically placed to avoid potential queuing and help with the steady flow of the passenger journey. Placed where airport staff may have previously directed and managed self-check-in, airport employees can now use their skills for higher-level tasks, enhancing the customer journey.
Baggage Solutions
Baggage kiosks offer a speedy and efficient way to drop off bags. This process is relatively simple: first, they can weigh bags to ensure no additional charges, and then payment can be collected at this initial stage for any overweight baggage.
Further integrations enable passengers to manage their bags remotely from drop-off to collection. Integrated RFID readers allow for track and trace of baggage throughout its airport journey, with status updates available to help reduce lost luggage and streamline services.
This is a perfect example of how portable kiosks offer greater convenience to passengers. A one-step bag drop allows passengers to check in for their reservation, indicate how many bags are being checked, print bag tags, pay any applicable fees, and drop off their bags in one simple step. Over 50% of passengers have expressed interest in using electronic bag tags, making portable bag drop kiosks a valuable addition.
Duty-Free Retail
Portable kiosks specifically tailored for retail are easy to set up and can be deployed across duty-free shops. These provide, engaging customer touchpoints as soon as consumers enter the store.
Integrated software in these kiosks can also offer applications such as scan-and-go purchasing and click-and-collect. With the exponential rise of e-commerce since the pandemic, a customer-centric journey through a tailored portable kiosk can be a great enhancement for revenue streams for airports.
Food and Drink Orders
Another key application of portable kiosks is their ability to streamline food and drink orders, offering passengers the convenience of placing orders from anywhere within the airport.
These kiosks can be strategically placed in waiting areas, lounges, and food courts, reducing congestion at counters and improving service speed. Passengers can browse menus, customize their orders, and make payments directly through the kiosks, receiving notifications when their order is ready for pickup. This reduces wait times and enhances the overall dining experience at the airport.
imageHOLDERS Portable Solutions
At imageHOLDERS, we are an award-winning, provider and manufacturer of airport kiosks. We have witnessed firsthand how portable digitization in airports is transforming the way passengers travel, from self-service check-in and baggage solutions to duty-free retail and food orders. We embody this innovation in all our services, and our portable airport kiosks solutions have been deployed by some of the world’s leading airlines and continue to be placed in some of the largest airports globally.
To learn more about how our digital kiosks can advance your own business or operation, explore our full
