Vinci Airports Extends Technology to Passengers’ Front Door and Beyond

Vinci Airports plans to deploy single biometric token trials at some of its airports by the end of this year.

The airport operator, which manages more than 30 airports, says the move will “help to optimise the time of our customers.”

Vinci chief information officer Eric Schneckenberger, who was speaking during last month’s SITA Summit, believes the single token “will give customers a more relaxed experience.”

The initiative is part of a number of technology investments the group is working on to improve passenger services.

Schneckenberger adds that the group needs a flexible approach to technology because of its international nature.

“Our DNA lies in a highly decentralised culture, adapting to local needs and supported by the power of a global network.

“I think we are living in a world of plenty with technology. You can make of it as much as you want. For IT, our aim is to help our businesses to construct themselves.

“Our challenge is how we can re-invent the business and transform ourselves. It’s not so much about the technology, but about enabling changes and re-thinking how we work at our airports.”

He believes improvements to the journey will stretch beyond the limits of the airport terminal from the traveller’s front door to their destination and back again.

To support expanded services which enhance the journey, the company is looking to start-ups.

In 2016, the group retained three startup proposals for development, based on ability to differentiate passenger services, as part of a Start-Up tour.

Skiply – the app uses the Internet of Things to collect and process real-time feedback from passengers. Button-based surveys machines collect passenger satisfaction measures and communicate them in real-time to airport operations centres for immediate resolution.

The control centre can also remotely activate IoT connected devices like lighting or speakers.

Eeelway offers mobile luggage transfer and storage at airports and train stations in Paris.

The idea is to free passengers from their luggage hours before the trip, so that they can enjoy more of the city. It’s a useful service for travellers who may have to check-out of their hotels in the morning but are flying out in the evening.

Business in the Air helps professionals connect at the airport during long-waits through a connection to their LinkedIn profile.

It gathers common interest information and highlights potential contacts who are also at the airport at the airport at the time, allowing them to chat via the app or meet in person.

It also highlights business contacts who will be on the same flight.

ANA added the service to its app this May.

As a more concrete passenger experience enhancement, Vinci Airports is also looking at robotised valet parking, which will be trialled over the summer.

Schneckenberger describes the group as “in experimentation mode.”

“Our aim is to experiment as much as possible. It’s part of our way of working, reinventing and being agile. A key element is leveraging the ecosystem. It’s about partnership. We are not going to build it on our own. We want to work with our airline partners, with collaborative platforms, and with start-ups.”