INGENIEUR
USD637.8 billion indirect GDP
These include jobs and services of suppliers to
the air transport industry, such as aviation fuel
suppliers; construction companies, suppliers of
sub-components used in aircraft, manufacturers of
goods sold in airports, and a wide variety of business
services, such as call centres, IT and accountancy.
These indirect activities contributed approximately
USD637.8 billion to global GDP in 2016.
USD454 billion induced GDP
Around USD454 billion induced GDP is created by
employees in the air transport industry using their
income to purchase goods and services for their
own consumption.
The spending of those directly or indirectly
employed in the air transport sector supports jobs
in industries ranging from retail and manufacturing
to banking and hospitality.
USD896.9 billion in tourism GDP
Tourism is fast becoming one of the world’s
largest industries and air transport is essential
to this: over half of all international tourists fly to
their destinations. Conservative analysis suggests
aviation supports USD896.9 billion in economic
activity within the tourism industry.
2020 & Beyond: Top Trends for Airports
and Aviation (Source: Smiths Detection)
Airports are often seen not only as gateways
to but as jewels of the cities they connect.
They can also be a lucrative window to attract
business to countries and high-ranking cities.
The more high-tech and passenger-friendly
they become, the more likely they will positively
impact local finances. Airports are therefore the
ideal test bed to integrate new technologies in
order to benefit from global growth in passenger
traffic and to attract further direct or indirect
investment.
Airports remain a strong location investment
and are becoming hubs for innovation. Universal
exhibitions, sporting events and the increasing
movement of people all provide good opportunities
to modernise airport infrastructure and to adopt
technologies that can improve the passenger
experience.
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Robotic Assistants
Robots could be first in line to help passengers in
busy and confusing environments like airports (for
example, Troikas check-in robots by LG have been
deployed in Incheon Airport, South Korea), and to
improve the ride to the airport (Gatwick airport in
the UK is willing to initiate a pilot robotic car park
project in 2019).
Passenger-centric Solutions
Less futuristic and more tangible, the adoption
of 5G networks has started in some airports (e.g.
Manchester), highlighting the way airports are
adapting to meet actual passenger demands.
Airports and airlines are changing their decision-
making processes from product-centric to
passenger-centric. Products and processes are
evolving to adapt to changes in passengers’
travel preferences and their access to technology.
Airports are adopting technologies that can help
expedite the passenger’s transactional activities
such as check-in, baggage screening, security and
customs. In turn, the positive travel experience
is leading to an increase in non-aeronautical
revenues for airports and their stakeholders.
Liquids are ready for take-off
Removing electronic devices, liquids and gels
from hand luggage is listed amongst the top three
“pain points” of passengers when travelling by
air. Technology will soon rescue passengers from
this hassle. Leading screening and detection
providers are leveraging technical advances
in computed tomography scanners (CT scanners)
to screen luggage in a better way, without the
need to remove the usual suspects from the bag.
The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in airports via
AI-powered scanners that are able to distinguish
explosives and weapons from non-dangerous
items (such as belts and keys) is also being tested
in the US, helping operators make better decisions
and streamline the security screening process.
Paperless and trustworthy, here comes the Block
Chain
Moving beyond its traditional role in the fintech
sector, blockchain technology is being explored
by airlines, airports and Government authorities
as a way to improve safety and aviation security
operations. Potential applications for this