Internet of Things and SITA

A major revolution in the passenger experience is set to emerge over the next three years as airlines invest in the ‘Internet of Things’ (IoT).  According to the SITA 2015 Airline IT Trends Survey, the vast majority of airlines (86%) expect that the IoT will deliver clear benefits in the next three years and already more than one third (37%) have allocated a budget to it. The results of the survey shows that IoT investments will be focused in the areas of check-in, bag drop and bag collection.

The ‘Internet of Things’ (see  BTN  8 June) is when physical objects are connected to the internet, which enables tracking, data collection, analysis and control. As part of this revolution, more things in the airport are being connected up including buildings, equipment, bags, trolleys, tugs – basically all the ‘things’ that could emit an electronic signal. In reality, however, because today the vast majority (83%) of passengers carry smartphones, passengers and staff are connected and can be part of the IoT too.

SITA’s survey carried out among the world’s top 200 airlines shows that airlines are already considering the benefits of IoT and over the next three years more than half plan investments in this area.  SITA 2015 Airline IT Trends Survey

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Barry Graham, Washington, DC

You could see a time when passengers no longer have to check in or show a boarding pass because the airport would know they are in the airport, and the plane would know when they have boarded. One of the few smart statements to come out of IATA was the need to go away with the checking-in process, a process which was designed to let the airlines known when the passengers were ready to board the plane, and today simply means that the passenger has checked in regardless of whether he/she intends to be at or is at the airport.