Auckland Airport (AKL) has announced plans to upgrade its departures hall. The airport said technology would play a major role in streamlining the check-in process and eliminating long queues at traditional check-in counters.
Over the next four years, the existing check-in hall will be transformed, turning it into a “digital, user-focused departures area”, said the airport.
CEO of AKL, Carrie Hurihanganu, said the airport would focus on smart technology such as biometrics.
She said globally, travellers were prioritising speed and convenience, supported by technology. “Surveys show 77% of travellers are interested in using a smartphone loaded with a digital passport and wallet for booking, payment and travel information.”
The airport will introduce common-use, self-service kiosks and automated bag drops, replacing around 60 traditional check-in desks between now and the opening of the terminal by 2030.
According to Hurihanganu, some of the technology has already been introduced in one check-in area, replacing 30 desks with 36 self-service kiosks and 22 bag drops.
