Aviation360 MEA

The year 2023 is interesting for airport globally. Recovery is patchy, with overall passenger  numbers probably reaching 80-90% of 2019 levels. 

Airlines and airports will concentrate on fostering a more pleasant passenger experience as  travel demand continues to rebound. At airports throughout the world, travellers now use  biometric technology for everything from check-in to going through security. 

Younger generations of travellers demand a more integrated digital journey, and the industry  will be forced to respond. Constantly utilising technologies, these travellers will accelerate the  digital way of life. Many are frequent travellers who are ‘self-service first’, and they embrace  biometrics and digital passes to benefit from travel efficiency and convenience and enhance  their overall travel experience. 

We hear from professionals from the industry and their opinions on what the year 2023 and  beyond looks like for airports worldwide, including new technologies, sustainability, baggage  problems, and more. 

Sujata Kumar Suri, Senior Vice President, Finance and Procurement, Hamad  International Airport 

The aviation industry is going through an accelerated recovery, considering most airports  where completely shut down during the pandemic, the industry is seeing passenger numbers  skyrocket year on year, resulting in airports seeking to improve their infrastructure by investing  in a scalable solution such as technology developments and expanding the airport size to  accommodate the rising numbers. 

The road to a ‘smart airport’ is a key focal point, with airports utilizing data analytics, AI powered solutions and automation to optimize operations, enhance security measures, provide  real-time information and to manage passenger flow and disruptions. Airports are adopting  digital solutions and create bespoke experiences that will appeal to passenger’s requirements  and introduce a new and seamless way to travel. 

Across the aviation industry there will be a need to further invest in its people, as demand and  a requirement for multi-functional talent is increasing. Additionally, considering the position  of the aviation industry, the need to introduce and adopt sustainable and environment friendly  solutions will be on the rise. In order to create a positive eco-system, airport’s will need to look  at effective measures to manage and maintain its assets, introduce practices that reduce carbon  emission, manage waste and treat water, build a sustainable infrastructure and work closely  with airlines, government agencies and technology providers. 

To sum up, the airport industry focus will be on embracing sustainability, enhancing security  and operations through technology and introduce a seamless passenger experience. 

Dr.Lilit Tshughuryan, Member of Women in Aviation/ Founder and Managing Director,  Akademikka Training Institute

Aviation business continues to rebound, airlines and airports, import and export by air cargo  will focus on promoting a faster experience on B2B and B2C levels. The major manufacturers  such as Boeing and Airbus have publicly identified that the Middle East is already one of their  primary customer targets and predict nearly doubling of the demands in both single aisle and  wide-bodied aircrafts. Sustainability continues to be a trend in the region with most of the  industry players looking at more viable fuel alternatives. 

If there is a region that can proudly say that it is now completely recovered from the COVID  linked market and has the latest aviation trends implementation, it is the Middle East. 

Along with environmental sustainability benefits, automated and remote-controlled pushback  for the aircrafts will remain as one of the trends 2023 in airport ground operations. Ambitious  cost-saving equipment targets high on the aviation industry’s agenda, I am pretty sure that we  can expect plenty of advancement in this space in the coming years. Automated pushback  device as a latest trend has already reduced airside emissions and allowed the airline to reduce  its fuel consumption. 

Andrei Diminescu, Founder & CEO, AirAI Network

Sustainable flying at a commercially effective price. Airports must optimize their operation to  be able to cover their part of the cost related to sustainability initiatives.  

There is surge in the increasing use of biometric data. As at how E-gates have improved the  processing time at Dubai Airports. I expect that the same technology to be soon rolled out for  check-in, baggage drops and even boarding based on an airports-airlines technology consensus.  

Smart airports – by using IoT devices, real-time data analytics, smart parking systems, and  integrated communication networks to streamline operations and enhance  passenger convenience. 

Malak Trabelsi Loeb, Group Founder and CEO, Vernewell Group 

“I believe key trends for airports in 2023 and beyond will be driven by advanced technologies  such as AI, IoT, automation, and simulation. For example, AI could enhance operations  through predictive maintenance and heightened security measures, while IoT sensors could  optimize energy consumption and streamline passenger flow management. Automation could  further boost efficiency with automated check-in, baggage handling, and even automated  vehicles for on-site transportation. Simulation software, creating ‘what-if’ scenarios, will aid in  proactive disruption management. Additionally, there will be a stronger emphasis on  sustainability. These technologies can help reduce the industry’s carbon footprint, with AI  suggesting greener practices, IoT aiding in energy management, and automation ensuring  resource efficiency. Embracing these advancements isn’t merely about operational  transformation, but also about a commitment to environmental responsibility. As we look  beyond 2023, the responsible application of these technologies will become even more crucial,  for they’re not just investments in operational efficiency but, more critically, in our planet’s  future.”