Airport Updates
Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok is experiencing usual traffic jams and long queues at immigration and baggage claims due to broken systems and staff shortages.
The Thai Prime Minister, Srettha Thavisin, has mandated faster airport procedures, aiming for under 30 minutes per passenger, after unexpected airport visits. Thailand's foreign visitor numbers climbed to 3.03 million last month, increasing from 2.1 million year-on-year. During the recent Chinese New Year, Thai airports saw a 13.3% surge in arrivals.
Airline and airport staffing deficits are hindering industry growth, despite an increase in flights post-pandemic. In Thailand, technological solutions are slow due to system unreliability and low tech familiarity among users. Nevertheless, by 2025, many airports and airlines plan to adopt biometric self-boarding systems and single biometric tokens for all airport touchpoints.
Airports of Thailand (AoT) will raise service charges by 30 baht in 2024 at six international airports, leveraging the Cupps system to streamline processing and reduce check-in delays, although some peak-hour congestion is anticipated. Additional fees at other airports, like Krabi, are also forthcoming.
Thai AirAsia CEO, Santisuk Klongchaiya, notes that
20-30% of their passengers use self-service check-in at Don Mueang Airport, bypassing traditional check-in processes. The airline is trialing biometric technology and plans to share resulting operational cost increases. Furthermore, automated services are becoming increasingly important due to labor shortages in the industry.
Automation won't entirely replace humans in aviation; it’s expected to enhance service and efficiency in operations, with AI supporting roles like marketing analysis. SITA's Asia-Pacific President, Sumesh Patel, suggests that automation will lead to a more skilled workforce, contributing to improved coordination by adopting flat business structures and employing smart technologies for better resource management.
The adoption of new technologies at Thai airports is slow, with ongoing support needed for passengers unaccustomed to self-service systems. The airlines' executives share a vision of inevitable technological integration post-pandemic, leading to digitalization that can cater to smaller airports through cloud technology.
To wrap up, tech advancements, while gradual, are shaping the future of airport operations by addressing current service and efficiency challenges and pointing towards a leaner management approach.
Airline and airport staffing deficits are hindering industry growth, despite an increase in flights post-pandemic. In Thailand, technological solutions are slow due to system unreliability and low tech familiarity among users. Nevertheless, by 2025, many airports and airlines plan to adopt biometric self-boarding systems and single biometric tokens for all airport touchpoints.
Airports of Thailand (AoT) will raise service charges by 30 baht in 2024 at six international airports, leveraging the Cupps system to streamline processing and reduce check-in delays, although some peak-hour congestion is anticipated. Additional fees at other airports, like Krabi, are also forthcoming.
Thai AirAsia CEO, Santisuk Klongchaiya, notes that
20-30% of their passengers use self-service check-in at Don Mueang Airport, bypassing traditional check-in processes. The airline is trialing biometric technology and plans to share resulting operational cost increases. Furthermore, automated services are becoming increasingly important due to labor shortages in the industry.
Automation won't entirely replace humans in aviation; it’s expected to enhance service and efficiency in operations, with AI supporting roles like marketing analysis. SITA's Asia-Pacific President, Sumesh Patel, suggests that automation will lead to a more skilled workforce, contributing to improved coordination by adopting flat business structures and employing smart technologies for better resource management.
The adoption of new technologies at Thai airports is slow, with ongoing support needed for passengers unaccustomed to self-service systems. The airlines' executives share a vision of inevitable technological integration post-pandemic, leading to digitalization that can cater to smaller airports through cloud technology.
To wrap up, tech advancements, while gradual, are shaping the future of airport operations by addressing current service and efficiency challenges and pointing towards a leaner management approach.
