THE MARRIAGE OF TECHNOLOGY and travel continues to bloom at a rapid pace, with new services and conveniences offered to travelers on a near weekly basis. It’s only natural airports would jump on the mobile app bandwagon, following airlines, hotels, travel rewards programs … seemingly the entire industry. According to the 2016 Airport IT Trends Survey from SITA, 90 percent of airports worldwide are undertaking either a major program or a trial project related to mobile app usage.
Currently about half of all airports prefer mobile apps to distribute important information such as flight disruptions. Approximately 61 percent do the same via emails and phone, with 34 percent using social media. Beyond typical notifications, however, emerging technologies allow for revolutionary options, with some airport apps even becoming context- and location-aware to assist passengers based on their needs in real time. Such features are set for trials in 74 percent of airports over the next five years and 78 percent of airports over the next 10 years.

Denver International Airport is the first to partner with the Mobile Passport Control app to help travelers breeze through customs. © DENVER INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Of course, not all airports are building apps solely for the sake of helping the thousands of travelers passing through their doors. A monetary aspect is at stake as well. By 2019, 84 percent of airports plan to offer purchasing capabilities on their mobile apps. In addition, 29 percent take the purchases one step further by making them available to smartwatch users. Some, about 34 percent, allow alternate payment options, such as Apple Pay.
“Mobile investments … continue to attract a good portion of [IT spending], and there are strong indications that airports are actively looking to recoup this investment by evolving their apps beyond check-in and basic flight information toward revenue-generating services,” said Barbara Dalibard, CEO, SITA, and Angela Gittens, director general, Airports Council International.
Dallas/Fort Worth International is one such airport targeting travelers with revenue-boosting app features, offering the ability to search more than 200 shops, dining options and services right from a mobile device, as well as see spending options within a five-minute walk from any gate. The DFW app debuted in late 2015 but constantly improves with new features. At release date, it offered the ability to view flight information, weather, airport maps, dining and shopping and parking products. Now, in addition to enhanced searching and intuitive wayfinding capabilities, the app is available in more than six languages and on the Apple Watch.
“More than 90 percent of DFW passengers are carrying smartphones and want information regarding their travel instantly. The DFW Mobile App and our new Apple Watch app allow us to provide customers real-time information tailored to their particular journey and [are] another example of how we are leveraging the use of technology to provide an overall customer experience that is warm, welcoming and efficient,” said Sean Donohue, CEO, DFW Airport.
Following closely behind DFW’s inventive app is Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport’s iFlyATL app, which debuted in spring 2016. The app was worth the wait, however, as it offers a myriad of additional options. Travelers enjoy real-time updates on parking availability, wait times, gate assignments, flight times and more than 300 dining and shopping options, as well as airport art installations and galleries. Possibly the app’s best feature? Using a photo tool, travelers have the ability to find the exact location of their car effortlessly and seamlessly within the airport’s parking facilities upon return arrival.
Outside the United States, airport mobile app usage shows huge potential in Asia. Bangalore International Airport released its new app last fall, proudly boasting status as the first airport in India to use Google Indoor Maps to assist passengers. Real-time app features include flight tracking, gate updates, one-touch WiFi connection and notifications based on location. App-users also receive exclusive retail and dining offers.
“At Bangalore International Airport Limited, our aim is to transform our customers’ airport experience,” said Sanjay Reddy, managing director, BIAL. “Every new digital introduction will combine innovation and emotion because we strongly believe that digital is more than just technology. The BLR Airport app is an example of how we are leveraging technology to make travel through the airport simple and easy.”
As Asian travel booms, multiple airports are considering similar mobile solutions to assist in alleviating passenger congestion. In China, in-app flight notifications, airport purchases and cashless payments are already available at many, with expectations pointing to all major airports offering the in-demand features by 2019. Additionally, many airports are beginning to push in-app purchases and offers via social media.
However, is it worth travelers’ time to download an app for every airport they pass through? With today’s business and leisure travelers constantly on the go, it adds up to quite a few apps and what some consider inconvenience. Cormac Corrigan, cofounder and travel eCommerce consultant, CJ Ignition, and Mark Lenahan, independent travel technology consultant to several major airlines, released a study questioning the profitability of airport apps.
The most common app feature airports provide is flight status notification, with 46 percent of airports already offering the service. When airline apps do the same, though, why bother? Corrigan and Lenahan point out airline apps are downloaded 14 times more often than airport apps. With major airlines carrying about 1.5 billion passengers annually, apps are downloaded about 117 million times. Large airports see about the same amount of passengers —1.3 billion — and only experience a download rate of 7.2 million.
Additionally, the study asks, are the funds dedicated to airport app development a waste when user retention is low? When studying all e-commerce, travel and utility apps, only about 3.3 percent of users continue to actively use an app 30 days after installation.
“The big challenge for airports is that, as a passenger, you are essentially anonymous to the airport. The airlines and/or agencies know all about your itinerary, but airports do not,” said Corrigan and Lenahan. “Another issue: the time spent in the airport is relatively short, at least when viewed from the perspective of the full end-to-end customer journey. Airlines already have a strong and established relationship with passengers in the pre-travel, airport and flight journey phases. They are positioning themselves as the trusted sources of essential information and travel products related to the entire passenger journey, including at destination.”
Regardless of poor user retention, the study does recognize the revenue potential airport apps carry, which is why travelers are hard-pressed to find an airport app not pointing passengers to some kind of purchase. In the past several years, airports around the world experienced static or declining aeronautical revenue, typically made from fees charged to airlines. Retail and commercial revenue, however, is growing by leaps and bounds as passenger numbers increase, a trend airports recognize.

MiFlight app gives passengers estimated security line wait times. © MIFLIGHT
In addition to similar mobile airline apps, airports face competition from outside apps built to create a better airport experience. Brands like GateGuru and FlightTrack5 keep mobile users up to date on gate changes, flight delays and airport amenities, with no need to download a separate app for each airport on travelers’ itineraries. MiFlight provides security wait time estimates, with information provided by real travelers in the moment, an option some feel is more accurate.
Rather than fight a potentially losing battle, a growing number of airports are quick to partner with outside apps in hopes of reaping possible benefits. This is the case with many concessions apps, such as Airport Sherpa, which delivers dining from any airport restaurant to passengers’ gates, and Grab, which allows travelers to pre-order from their phones before picking up their food. Currently, Grab is found at more than a dozen North American airports, with others joining soon.
Similarly, Denver International Airport is the first to partner with the Mobile Passport Control app, the first authorized app to expedite the arrival of U.S. and Canadian citizens. Users submit passport information and a customs declaration form on their smartphone, shortening wait time in the international arrivals area. The airport installed eight specialized scanning units to read app-generated QR codes which provide customs officers with all required information. The airport estimates approximately 50–70 percent of all arriving international travelers are eligible to use the app.
Regardless of outside competition or the opinions of some tech consultants, however, airports both in the United States and abroad plan to continue releasing new mobile apps and expanding existing options. As travel technology develops to make travel easier, more convenient and more attuned to individual needs in real time, it’s only a question of what new options airports will offer and when and how they’ll use new technology to boost revenue.
Read This Next
All Reads on This Topic
Read Them All
Introducing
FX Excursions
FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.
#globility
Insta FeedDaily
Mar 30, 2023A New Type of Art Experience: Rotterdam’s Depot Boijman’s Van Beuningen Opens
A little more a year ago, Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen, designed by architectural firm MVRDV, opened to the public in Rotterdam. At Depot, everything revolves around the interaction between the visitors and more than 151,000 works stored in various areas of the unique building.
Daily
Mar 29, 20234 Spring Hotel Openings
With the start of spring, travelers have their choice of new design-centric boutique properties opening in the coming months. Check out these properties for travel inspiration.
eFlyer Reviews
Mar 29, 2023Elk Cove Inn & Spa Review
Mendocino County is a self-contained universe of effortless, California-centric joy enveloped within the Redwood Forest National and State Parks, the rocky Pacific Coast and several prime wine production areas like Anderson Valley. If Highway 1 and Route 128 are the ribbons holding this package together, Elk Cove Inn & Spa can be considered the bow. Mendocino Coast’s first vacation destination, established in 1968, is an ideal 16-room gateway to the destination.
Sponsored Content
Share Your Travel Preferences with Global Traveler in a Short Survey & Win
Learning more about our readers’ travel habits and preferences ensures Global Traveler delivers the content you desire. As the travel industry has adapted and changed over the last few years, it’s more important than ever to connect. To best meet your short- and long-term travel content needs, please help us!
eFlyer News
Mar 29, 2023YOTEL to Open YOTELPAD London Stratford in Late 2023
YOTEL recently announced plans to open YOTELPAD London Stratford at the end of this year, making it the seventh YOTEL property in the United Kingdom and third in London, joining YOTEL London City and YOTEL London Shoreditch. YOTEL currently features properties in the United States and United Kingdom, with hotels in Boston, New York, San Francisco and, more recently, Washington, D.C.
Last-Minute Spring Deals from SIXT
eFlyer Deals
Mar 29, 2023Daily
Mar 29, 2023Get in the Spirit for the Coronation with These 4 Red Savannah Itineraries
This May, London celebrates as King Charles III will officially be crowned in the coronation. To help travelers get into the royal spirit, Red Savannah recently introduced a variety of itineraries and destinations in the United Kingdom, including the homes of monarchs and historical figures, castles and gardens.
Sponsored Content
Enter to Win $500 and Get Six Months’ Free Access to the New GT App
Now through May 8, sign up for a free six-month trial of the Global Traveler app and be automatically entered for a chance to win a $500 gift card of your choice for Amazon, Apple or American Express.
Daily
Mar 29, 2023Set Sail on a California River Cruise with American Cruise Lines
Love small-ship cruising and the California coast? You’re in luck: American Cruise Lines offers an eight-day San Francisco Bay excursion, taking in some of the best wine country in the United States. The itinerary for American Jazz — one of 10 new riverboats in American Cruise Lines fleet — includes ports in San Francisco, Stockton, Sacramento and Vallejo. Sailing time takes in San Francisco Bay, San Pablo Bay and the Napa and San Joaquin rivers. American Jazz reaches the California Coast following a repositioning journey from Mississippi, including a transit through the Panama Canal.
ShareThis