Image: SITA
Since the easing of travel restrictions in China the country is now gearing up for a strong post-pandemic recovery of air travel with the help of investing in IT to streamline the passenger experience.
This is according to SITA’s newly published 2022 Air Transport IT Insights report, which shows all of China’s leading airlines and 86% of airports expect their IT spend to remain the same or increase from 2022 to 2023.Automating the full passenger journey.
SITA said China’s airports are ahead of the global curve on self-service implementation, with 80 to 100% having already implemented self-service technology across check-in, bag drop, bag tag, and boarding. Touchless solutions and mobile applications for digital passenger services are also top areas of investment for 92% of airports, to further support convenience for passengers while freeing up staff to focus on other operational priorities.
Single secure biometric token
Biometric identity management is a developing priority, with investment particularly in the use of biometric-powered e-gates at the border control and boarding stages. A full three-quarters of Chinese airports plan a single secure biometric token across all touch-points by 2025, well ahead of the global average of 53%.
Sumesh Patel, President, Asia Pacific, SITA, said: “It is exciting to see China embrace a return to international travel with the relaxation of border restrictions. Many Chinese airports and airlines are embracing technology to quickly ramp up their passenger operations, with a commitment to digitalising the passenger journey. In particular, the country’s airlines and airports have prioritised a single secure biometric token across all passenger touch-points, suggesting more airports in the region will follow the example of pioneering end-to-end biometric implementations such as that of Beijing Capital International Airport.”
