After a challenging few years, international travel is finally returning to pre-pandemic levels. Industry estimates suggest that international tourism will surpass 2019 levels by the end of 2024, highlighting the sector’s robust recovery and the growing demand for innovative solutions.
Transforming the Travel Sector
We’ve often spoke about the significant transformation underway in the travel sector. As passengers, we now expect a seamless travel experience. Meanwhile, governments and airport authorities must prioritise safety. Striking a balance between these expectations and ensuring robust data privacy measures is crucial for both parties – and vital for the sector’s continued growth.
This is precisely what the Government of India aims to achieve with Digi Yatra– an initiative led by the Ministry of Civil Aviation to make air travel seamless, hassle-free, and health-risk-free for passengers. The Digi Yatra process uses facial biometrics as a single token to digitally verify identity, travel, health, and other necessary data, facilitating a smoother air travel experience. Together with Digi Yatra, we strongly support the notion that no sensitive personal information should be stored in a central data base.
Supporting such innovation, we recently announced a strategic partnership with Adani Airport Holdings Limited (AAHL), India’s largest private airport operator, to transform international airport operations and passenger experiences across the country. Since early 2024, our Fly to Gate solution has been deployed at seven AAHL airports, providing touchless biometrics for Digi Yatra. This has significantly reduced passenger processing times by up to 30%, enhancing the travel experience for millions of passengers.
Building on this success, AAHL has awarded Thales an additional contract to deploy the innovative Airport Operation Control Centre (APOC) at all its airports in India. The APOC will optimise overall airport management and enhance passenger experiences securely. This partnership exemplifies how Thales’ technologies enable AAHL to revolutionise air travel in the country by efficiently and securely managing complex airport operations while improving the travel experience for passengers in full compliance with privacy regulations.
The Future of Travel: Technology and Human-Centric Design
We believe that the future of travel lies in the seamless integration of technology and human-centric design. By leveraging the most appropriate biometric technology, we offer passengers a more personalised and secure journey, while respecting their privacy, reducing the need for physical documents and minimising wait times.
The APOC is a testament to our commitment to innovation and excellence. It serves as the nerve centre for airport operations, allowing for real-time monitoring and decision-making. This not only improves operational efficiency but also enhances the safety and security of passengers. The use of big data analytics and AI enables us to predict and mitigate potential issues before they arise, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free travel experience.
Privacy is a cornerstone of our approach. We understand that passengers entrust us with their personal information, and we take this responsibility seriously. Our systems are designed with robust security measures to protect data and ensure compliance with global privacy standards.
Balancing Security, Privacy, and Efficiency
Ultimately, the key to modern travel lies in striking the right balance between security, privacy, and efficiency. By integrating advanced technologies with a human-centric approach, we can create a travel experience that is not only seamless and efficient, but also secure and respectful of passengers’ privacy. This balanced approach ensures that we meet the evolving needs of travellers while maintaining the highest standards of safety and data protection.
The collaboration with AAHL in India is a flagship example of how technology can transform the travel industry. By focusing on efficiency, safety and privacy, we are setting new benchmarks for what is possible. We are excited about the future and are committed to continuing our efforts to make travel more enjoyable and secure for everyone.
