Passenger Terminal Today
  • News
    • A-C
      • Accessibility
      • Baggage
      • Biometrics
      • Boarding
      • Check in
      • Construction & Architecture
      • Covid-19
      • CSR
    • D-L
      • Displays & Signage
      • Expo
      • Food & Beverage
      • Ground Support
      • IT & Software
      • Lighting
      • Lounge
    • M-R
      • Operations
      • Parking
      • Passenger Experience
      • Personnel
      • Regulation & Policy
      • Retail
    • S-Z
      • Seating
      • Security
      • Self-service
      • Sustainability
      • Technology
      • Terminal
      • Wayfinding
      • Webinars
  • Opinion
  • Features
  • Online Magazines
    • Showcase 2024
    • September 2023
    • June 2023
    • April 2023
    • January 2023
    • Archive Issues
    • Subscribe Free
  • Videos
  • Webinars
  • Supplier Spotlight
  • Events
LinkedIn Facebook Twitter
  • Sign-up for Free Weekly E-Newsletter
  • Meet the Editors
  • Contact Us
  • Media Pack
LinkedIn Facebook
Subscribe
Passenger Terminal Today
  • News
      • Accessibility
      • Baggage
      • Biometrics
      • Boarding
      • Check in
      • Construction & Architecture
      • Covid-19
      • CSR
      • Displays & Signage
      • Expo
      • Food & Beverage
      • Ground Support
      • IT & Software
      • Lighting
      • Lounge
      • Operations
      • Parking
      • Passenger Experience
      • Personnel
      • Regulation & Policy
      • Retail
      • Seating
      • Security
      • Self-service
      • Sustainability
      • Technology
      • Terminal
      • Wayfinding
      • Webinars
  • Opinion
  • Features
  • Online Magazines
    1. April 2025
    2. January 2025
    3. Showcase 2025
    4. September 2024
    5. June 2024
    6. Subscribe Free
    Featured
    April 2, 2025

    April 2025 issue is now available online!

    Online Magazines By Web Team
    Recent

    April 2025 issue is now available online!

    April 2, 2025

    January 2025 issue is now available online!

    December 11, 2024

    Passenger Terminal World Showcase 2025

    November 12, 2024
  • Videos
  • Webinars
  • Supplier Spotlight
  • Events
LinkedIn Facebook
Subscribe
Passenger Terminal Today
Airport

EXPO NEWS: Top conference and exhibitor news from Day 1 at Passenger Terminal EXPO & CONFERENCE 2018

Dan SymondsBy Dan SymondsMarch 23, 20189 Mins Read

Passenger Terminal EXPO and CONFERENCE 2018, the world’s leading international airport conference and exhibition, opens its doors this week (March 20-22) at the Stockholmsmässan business center in Stockholm, Sweden. With more than 7,000 visitors expected over the three-day event, this year’s EXPO will be the biggest and best yet!

In the main hall, over 300 exhibitors have been showcasing the latest technologies and services in the airport industry including biometric security, automated baggage handling, adaptable seating modules, autonomous vehicles, self-service check-in and bag drop, and much more.

Rockwell Collins

On stand 1000, Rockwell Collins launched the latest version of its self-service common-use bag-drop solution, the ARINC SelfDrop F series, which leverages the latest biometric technologies to complete the self-service bag-drop process in under 60 seconds. It boasts an extremely low false identification rate and is highly flexible as the main kiosk can be installed anywhere. The bag-drop technology can also be retrofitted to most existing baggage belts. Rockwell hopes to go live with its first airport in the coming months.

Tony Chapman, senior director of global airports product management and strategic programs, Rockwell Collins, said, “As well as verifying the identity of the bag owner via biometric facial scanning, the kiosk also measures the weight of the bag to check if it’s within the weight limit of the airline, it then has the option of charging you if you’re over that limit. It then validates that weight when it’s put on the bag-drop conveyor belt to make sure the passenger hasn’t added anything to it.”

The company also demonstrated its latest prototype which enables passengers to use their smartphones to register their identity, which can then be used at a later date as part of a ‘single token’ biometric security process.

Vanderlande


Vanderlande signed a landmark agreement with Rotterdam The Hague Airport (RTHA) at Passenger Terminal EXPO for the first live deployment of its new automated baggage logistics solution, FLEET.

Expected to go live in September 2018, FLEET is a flexible and sustainable solution that utilizes autonomous vehicle technology, replacing the need for fixed sorting systems. It also consumes up to 50% less energy compared to traditional baggage handling systems. Each individual vehicle carries a single bag and determines the most optimal route through an airport. FLEET has been designed to seamlessly grow alongside an airport, match its operations, and allow it to adapt to changing security and screening regulations.

“Following the successful launch at Inter Airport 2017, we have full confidence in FLEET’s readiness for the market,” said Andrew Manship, Vanderlande’s executive vice president airports and member of the board. “By signing this agreement, we are pleased to have the opportunity to test and optimize this innovative concept in a live environment, as well as contribute toward RTHA’s strategic objectives.”

Koen Evers (above left), general manager – FLEET, Vanderlande, added, “The great thing about FLEET is its versatility and scalability. The project at Rotterdam will act as a testbed for future developments and will be watched closely by Royal Schiphol Group. Hopefully it can then be deployed on a greater scale at Schiphol and other large international airports.”

Furhat Robotics


Swedish technology startup Furhat Robotics launched its new FRAnny multilingual customer service bot, which is currently being trialled at Frankfurt Airport in Germany, in partnership with airport operator Fraport and railway firm Deutsche Bahn.

The trial will run for four weeks, during which, the readiness of FRAnny will be evaluated based on its interactions with genuine passengers. The robotic concierge will initially converse in English and German, but the plan is to expand this to more than 35 languages.

“With so many self-service options now available, the airport can sometimes become overwhelming for travelers who are not used to such systems,” said Joe Mendelson, senior business developer at Furhat Robotics. “FRAnny fills a gap in the sense that it complements the existing workforce and handles some of the more routine queries often asked by such passengers. This provides the staff with more time to focus on customer service.”

Flight Solutions


Debut exhibitor Flight Solutions showcased its eScan Passenger Verification System, which is set to be rolled out across eight Scottish airports operated by Highlands and Islands Airports Limited (HIAL) in time for the busy summer season.

The airports are Inverness, Benbecula, Dundee, Islay, Kirkwall, Stornoway, Sumburgh and Wick. The system will also provide real-time passenger data to HIAL, which the group can use to measure passenger flow and queue times.

Inverness Airport, part of the HIAL group, will also benefit from an airport-wide rollout of Flight Solutions’ passenger processing systems, including its common-use system (CUTE) and common-use self-service (CUSS) products. Ten common-use check-in desks, six self-service check-in kiosks, seven self-service bag drops and six boarding gates will be installed across Inverness Airport by June 2018.

“We’re delighted to expand our existing relationship with Inverness Airport and with the HIAL group,” said Paul Secker, founder and CEO of Flight Solutions. “In a constantly changing environment like a busy airport, we recognize the need for both hardware and software to be as simple and adaptable as possible. Getting rid of legacy solutions and capitalizing on the new technology offered as part of our passenger processing and passenger verification systems are helping to future-proof airports while improving the passenger experience.”

SITA


Air transport IT provider SITA demonstrated its Smart Path biometric security solution and spoke to visitors about its new report, launched at the show, titled Biometrics for Better Travel: An ID Management Revolution.

The report outlines how innovative ID management programs will become more commonplace worldwide as 63% of airports and 43% of airlines plan to invest in such solutions in the next three years.

Sean Farrell, director, strategy and innovation, SITA, said, “Across the world, airlines are required to check that passengers are who they say they are and that they have the right travel documents. This is a fundamental element of securing the travel process which cannot be eliminated.

“With passenger numbers set to double by 2036, airlines and airports need to be able to move passengers through these checks as securely and quickly as possible. Efficient identity management is essential for better security while at the same time improving the passenger experience. Biometrics is the technology that can deliver this.”

Biometrics for Better Travel: An ID Management Revolution combines SITA’s global research with commentary and cases studies from airports, airlines and global entities that are exploring and adopting biometric technology to transform the passenger experience. Those featured include Brisbane Airport, British Airways, JetBlue and Orlando International Airport along with industry perspectives from the International Airline Travel Association (IATA). To download a copy of the report, click here.

Nuctech
Elsewhere in the exhibition hall, Nuctech shared its ideas on how artificial intelligence can be used for security scanning of luggage to detect the presence of weapons.

Dr Wang Weidong, vice president of Nuctech company, said, “This is an excellent event to attend. We have had a lot of people visit our stand throughout the day. There is also a lot of new technology on show, which is great for learning about the industry. We like to come to this expo every year so we can gain feedback from the right people in our sector about our current products and our plans for the future. This show also enables us to find out what the future holds for the aviation sector.”

Passenger Terminal CONFERENCE
At Passenger Terminal Conference, which is hosting more than 385 expert speakers, Changi Airport’s presentation on its FAST initiatives attracted a very large crowd. Chua Ching Hock, senior manager of development operations, Terminal 4, at the Changi Airport Group, told delegates how in 2012 the airport embarked on a five-year program to design and implement FAST initiatives across all four of its terminals, using the new T4 to test new ideas and development.

As part of FAST, T4 offers an end-to-end self-service process using biometric facial recognition. Other FAST initiatives included increasing the number of automated check-in counters in Changi’s terminals and providing automated solutions for bag drop, immigration and boarding. During his presentation, Chua said, “During the development of T4 we reimagined the passenger experience. FAST was a journey, not a destination. We are still learning about the future and how we can improve further.”

Another interesting session in the conference was the Future Airports stream, which saw a number of young innovative professionals talk to visitors about innovation and how it should be embedded in an organization. Anne Hospers, coordinator of Innovative Partnerships at Rotterdam The Hague Airport, told delegates about what she has learned regarding airport innovation over the past year. She said, “Innovation is hard work. It is also about failure. You need to fail in order to learn how to succeed. Change is important for the future of the industry.”

Following Hospers’s presentation, a team from the Recoding Aviation hackathon took to the stage to present the results of the event, which took place in Berlin, Germany, in June 2017. The hackathon encouraged people from outside the industry to take part in an event to generate new innovative ideas for the airport sector. Seven airports participated, 35 teams took part and 37 ideas were presented during the 48 hours of hacking.

New developments and innovations that came out of the hackathon included Unstuck, which looked at airport security queues and helped improve the flow of passengers by identifying which passengers, such as transfer travelers, needed to pass through the checkpoint quicker; and Waitlist, which enabled passengers to use an app on their smart devices to see if other like-minded passengers were near them and wanting to meet up.

Share. Twitter LinkedIn Facebook Email
Previous ArticleElectric car charging points making an impact at Southampton Airport
Next Article Stylish stationery store kikki.K opens in Gatwick’s North Terminal

Related Posts

Airport

London Gatwick launches UK’s first airport economic zone

May 21, 20252 Mins Read
Expo

PTE WORLD: Interview with Aude Ferrand, chief commercial officer of TAV Airports

May 20, 20251 Min Read
Construction & Architecture

PTE WORLD: Interview with Steven Yiu, executive director of airport operations at AAHK

May 13, 20251 Min Read
Latest News

London Gatwick launches UK’s first airport economic zone

May 21, 2025

Ontario International initiative finds use for toiletries that don’t travel

May 21, 2025

PTE WORLD: Interview with Aude Ferrand, chief commercial officer of TAV Airports

May 20, 2025

Receive breaking stories and features in your inbox each week, for free


Enter your email address:


Our Social Channels
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
Getting in Touch
  • Sign-up for Free Weekly E-Newsletter
  • Meet the Editors
  • Contact Us
  • Media Pack
© 2025 UKi Media & Events a division of UKIP Media & Events Ltd
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Notice & Takedown Policy

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Cookie settingsACCEPT
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.

CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.

Functional

Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.

Performance

Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.

Analytics

Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.

Advertisement

Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.

Others

Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.

SAVE & ACCEPT