July 1, 2014: In a sequel to the Future of Travel Report Skyscanner has reported that by 2024 the airports in India will go hi-tech and that airlines could become the new cyber hubs. As the Indian passenger figures are expected to increase to approximately 107 million for domestic travel by 2016, the customers are expected to be even more demanding than before.
Skyscanner predicts that by 2024 airports could become stress free places and passengers would be able to undertake speedy check in and they can look forward to take a relaxed flight with luxurious facilities. The report goes on to further say that travelers can look forward to airports and airlines as havens which will cater to their business and leisure needs.
Kavitha Gnanamurthy, Senior Marketing Manager, Skyscanner India was quoted as saying “The section II of the report decodes the next decade of travel experiences and the future of airports. Developments like automated self-service technologies, check-in with a voice command, laser molecular scanners and other emerging technologies will lead to automated airport infrastructure by 2024, thereby transforming both domestic and international travel. This can already be witnessed with artistic airports coming to life in India.”
The report predicts that in the future airports will be entirely automated and integrated with emerging technologies. Smartphones will play a very important role and it would be used for automatic check ins and monitoring the queue times at security.
Filip Filipov, Head of B2B, Skyscanner commented on the report by saying that “Emerging technologies mean that by 2024 the travel journey from our home to holiday destination has the potential to be a stress-free and enjoyable experience – full of fun distractions for everyone. Airports and flights will no longer be the price we pay to travel but instead will signify the start of our holidays where travellers can relax and create the perfect space to suit their needs whether they’re flying for business or leisure.”
With wearable gadgets and companies working on Internet of Things which allows devices to be connected with each other the travellers are expected to experience a more efficient and faster airport journey. Skyscanner predicts that airports would have spaces for art galleries, 3D cinemas, gardens and yoga retreats. The report also states that deigns of airports will undergo a sea change and the buildings would be more open and will have interactive walls with haptic and phygital technology.
Haptic technology will allow passengers to smell, feel and see the products from a distance and phygital technology which means physical and digital retail techniques will allow passengers to order goods with verbal command with a wave of the hand.
Though all this looks like straight from a sci fi movie, Skyscanner further reports that flights by 2024 would be ultra modern and will have Skype style hologram systems on board. Passengers would be allowed to hold 3D conversations and sonic disrupters would be embedded in passenger’s seat to cut down noise levels during conversations. All this and more including morphing seats and haptic gloves are also forecast ed by Skyscanner to be part of the flights which would operate in 2024.
