Smartphone travel apps take off in SITA survey.
According to the 2011 SITA – Air Transport World Passenger Self-Service Survey reported that the increasing number of smartphones carried by airline passengers, and who have travel apps, has doubled over the last year making them an important device for travelers who want to access flight information, check-in remotely, or use new and exciting flight-related travel apps. For starters, travelers who own smartphone has increased from 28% in last year’s survey to 54% this year; 74% of first/business class respondents and frequent flyers (10+ round trips per year) owned one. Travel apps continue to be used to many reasons as well.
Smartphone travel apps emerging services
SITA – ATW Passenger Self-Service Survey organized a sample of the 283.5 million passengers who travel through six of the world’s leading airport hubs, and for the first time, a major hub in the Middle East, Abu Dhabi International Airport, has been included alongside regular participants. The others include Frankfurt International Airport; Mumbai International; Sao Paulo Guarulhos; Beijing International Airport; and Hartsfield-Jackson, Atlanta.
SITA CEO, Francesco Violante, said: “We are now entering the era of the mobile-centric passenger, who is not only able to manage his or her journey independently but also expects personal and timely communication from airlines, airports and other providers of travel-related services. Smartphone travel apps penetration is opening up new frontiers for passenger self-service across key steps of the passenger journey from check-in to boarding. Technology on mobile devices, such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, can be used to improve passenger flow, alleviating areas of passenger concern such as queues at border control and security.”
Smartphone travel apps versatility
Smartphone travel apps owners lead with mobile check-in. Some 31% of smartphone holders use mobile check-in frequently or occasionally, while 36% of interviewed first/business class passengers do so.
SMS flight information is also emerging. Over 50% of first/business class travelers and frequent flyers receive SMS notifications; the 2011 SITA Airline IT Trends Survey suggests that the service is available to 76% of passengers.
Three out of four smartphone connect to a free airport Wi-Fi network, giving an opportunity to provide real-time information through mobile applications to passengers, flight information is the most popular at 77%, time to reach departure gate from their current location is 40%, wait times at security checkpoints is 50%, and airport parking is at 21%
For what is it the overall number of passengers checking in at the actual counter is decreasing quite rapidly and this survey shows the traditional check in counter could possibly to reassigned to a non- standard check in overlooked by agents and a situational basis. With increasing usage of smartphones and a flood of travel apps will revolutionize the way we travel.
