The Federal Aviation Administration forecasts that air travel in the U.S. will increase by about 50% in the next 20 years. Are airports ready for that surge? More important, can airports provide the kind of frictionless experience that passengers will expect and demand?
To explore these questions, last February engineering giant Arup conducted a “salon” in San Francisco on the future of aviation. Invitees were a diverse mix of 22 experts representing airport operators, planners, developers, engineers, and manufacturers, including some—like representatives from Autodesk, Intel, and Visa—who offered a broader context.
Arup let BD+C take a peek at a draft of its report on the salon’s key points. The report identifies core themes for three primary stakeholders—the airlines, passengers, and airports—that revolve around “choreographed seamlessness,” “connected and predictable” service, and productive systems. Design can drive airport efficiency, but only when there’s positive cooperation among stakeholders.
Passenger satisfaction often begins with “technological convergence” that facilitates easier mobility and processing. “Touchless screening, automated check-in, tailored retail services, and real-time operational information could stimulate the seamless experience,” the draft stated.
However, technology is developing faster than the aviation industry can devise purposes for it. On the other hand, “no tech trumps high tech,” meaning that passengers still prefer a humanistic, natural environment. “The future of technology will always be about the people who use it.”
Other lessons learned:
• Technology shrinks future airport concrete. Huge spaces once allocated for check-in and security should be reconsidered as passengers adapt to self-service options.
• Collaboration frees technology. Barriers between airlines, airports, regulators, and technology providers will only thwart process enhancements.
• Your bag will have its own identity. Renovation and new construction of airport terminals often focuses on streamlining baggage-handling systems. While paper bag tags aren’t going away, it’s only a matter of time before luggage that’s traceable via bar codes or RFID chips becomes available for purchase in stores.
• The future of retail is at the airport. Retail, food, and beverage are big revenue streams for airports. That might explain why some large hubs have turned their terminals into shopping malls.
• Your journey will be branded. Airlines currently control the traveler’s experience, but the salon’s participants see opportunities for other entities—including airports themselves—“to occupy the passenger’s cognitive space.”
Another theme from the salon: the need for “intelligent” ground transportation that “allows riders comfort in knowing their entire journey is accounted for before boarding.” Technology could help passengers pre-plan and customize their trip along all journey touch points, like scheduling and predicting arrival times for door-to-hotel transport, or tracking luggage in real time.
Many of the salon’s attendees highlighted the need to ensure that regulatory actions—especially those relating to security, customs, and immigration—are enforced in ways that minimize passenger delays.
Related Stories
Giants 400 | Feb 6, 2023
2022 Reconstruction Sector Giants: Top architecture, engineering, and construction firms in the U.S. building reconstruction and renovation sector
Gensler, Stantec, IPS, Alfa Tech, STO Building Group, and Turner Construction top BD+C's rankings of the nation's largest reconstruction sector architecture, engineering, and construction firms, as reported in the 2022 Giants 400 Report.
Cladding and Facade Systems | Dec 20, 2022
Acoustic design considerations at the building envelope
Acentech's Ben Markham identifies the primary concerns with acoustic performance at the building envelope and offers proven solutions for mitigating acoustic issues.
Digital Twin | Nov 21, 2022
An inside look at the airport industry's plan to develop a digital twin guidebook
Zoë Fisher, AIA explores how design strategies are changing the way we deliver and design projects in the post-pandemic world.
Giants 400 | Nov 14, 2022
Top 65 Airport Terminal Engineering + EA Firms for 2022
AECOM, Jacobs, Arup, and Burns & McDonnell head the ranking of the nation's largest airport terminal engineering and engineering/architecture (EA) firms for 2022, as reported in Building Design+Construction's 2022 Giants 400 Report.
Giants 400 | Nov 14, 2022
Top 60 Airport Terminal Contractors + CM Firms for 2022
Hensel Phelps, Turner Construction, Walsh Group, and Holder Construction top the ranking of the nation's largest airport terminal contractors and construction management (CM) firms for 2022, as reported in Building Design+Construction's 2022 Giants 400 Report.
Giants 400 | Nov 14, 2022
Top 55 Airport Terminal Architecture + AE Firms for 2022
Gensler, PGAL, Corgan, and HOK top the ranking of the nation's largest airport terminal architecture and architecture/engineering (AE) firms for 2022, as reported in Building Design+Construction's 2022 Giants 400 Report.
BAS and Security | Oct 19, 2022
The biggest cybersecurity threats in commercial real estate, and how to mitigate them
Coleman Wolf, Senior Security Systems Consultant with global engineering firm ESD, outlines the top-three cybersecurity threats to commercial and institutional building owners and property managers, and offers advice on how to deter and defend against hackers.
Mass Timber | Aug 30, 2022
Mass timber construction in 2022: From fringe to mainstream
Two Timberlab executives discuss the market for mass timber construction and their company's marketing and manufacturing strategies. Sam Dicke, Business Development Manager, and Erica Spiritos, Director of Preconstruction, Timberlab, speak with BD+C's John Caulfield.
Giants 400 | Aug 22, 2022
Top 90 Construction Management Firms for 2022
CBRE, Alfa Tech, Jacobs, and Hill International head the rankings of the nation's largest construction management (as agent) and program/project management firms for nonresidential and multifamily buildings work, as reported in Building Design+Construction's 2022 Giants 400 Report.
Giants 400 | Aug 22, 2022
Top 200 Contractors for 2022
Turner Construction, STO Building Group, Whiting-Turner, and DPR Construction top the ranking of the nation's largest general contractors, CM at risk firms, and design-builders for nonresidential buildings and multifamily buildings work, as reported in Building Design+Construction's 2022 Giants 400 Report.