Smartphones Help Keflavik Airport Give Travelers a Better Travel Experience
Summary
To help handle the increasing passenger numbers smoothly and efficiently, the airport enlisted the expertise of Lockheed Martin to design and implement the BlipTrack solution from Denmark-based BLIP Systems.From a passenger perspective, the solution has allowed the airport to display waiting times on screens and on the airport’s website which helps to keep the traveler informed, reduces frustration and delivers a more stress free, pleasant transit experience.Commenting on future development plans, Hanna M. Hermannsdóttir, specialist in operation research at Keflavik Airport states: “We are considering of placing BlipTrack sensors at our border control lines and display the waiting times in our concession area.The unique ID is also encrypted in the sensor, making it impossible to identify the mobile device afterwards.”Wait time screens ease passenger frustration.From a passenger perspective, the solution has allowed the airport to display waiting times on screens and on the airport’s website which helps to keep the traveler informed, reduces frustration and delivers a more stress free, pleasant transit experience.Prompt response to irregular operations.Operationally, the airport uses the data to monitor security line congestion which allows management to respond promptly and effectively to irregular operations and disruptions, to ultimately reduce processing times.“We use the data to see when levels of service are breached and to find out the reasons.Now we are able to make more informed decisions in security,” says Guðmundur Karl Gautason, Project Manager - Operation Research at Keflavik Airport.The data is also used to provide minute-by-minute live forecasts of waiting times.