Passenger Counting

Why passenger counting technology is essential for airport efficiency

Events of 2020 have had what may be a lasting impact on air travel, not least in raising issues around how airports manage the level of passenger traffic in and out of the airport. This article will look at these new considerations alongside the existing benefits of ensuring your airport has adopted high spec passenger counting technology

What does passenger counting technology do?

Put simply, passenger counting technology monitors and projects passenger volumes. Teams are able to observe things like the queue for security and passport control, understand any backlog at the baggage check and monitor how quickly arrivals are processed. All this happens in real-time so immediate action, like opening extra check-in desks or modifying queue strategy can be implemented.

What are the benefits of passenger counting technology?

You’ll be prepared

Being able to draw comparisons of traffic flow in different time frames gives insights that enable senior staff to be fully prepared before peak travel seasons, such as holiday times. The provision of granular data means it is easy to identify travel patterns at all times, so resources can be utilised effectively.

This is especially important in the current global crisis, with airports having to adapt to rule changes and new guidance at a short notice. Having a concrete understanding of potential passenger numbers means staffing levels can be adapted and potential compromises to passenger and colleague safety can be averted.

You’ll be able to take immediate action

Passenger counting technology runs side by side with queue management. You’ll see things like the number of passengers waiting at check-in desks, assess what’s happening in baggage claim as well as being abreast of the volumes in passport control. The technology even goes so far as to assess the number of people waiting to use toilet facilities, as well as how many are queuing up for a last-minute skinny latte, to grab a great book for the journey or a gift to take home.

Understanding where queues are building and the potential for a bottleneck scenario means action can be taken to redirect passengers and reduce perceived and actual waiting times. This in turn leads to better quality service, a greater sense of customer satisfaction and simplifies managing health and hygiene concerns.

Why does passenger counting technology have such a positive impact?

We are naturally more patient when we know what we’re dealing with. If we’re aware that there will be fifteen minutes wait, we adapt and “settle in” to the waiting. If we’re not sure what’s going on, or whether there is a delay, our anxiety buttons are pushed and we become impatient because we feel out of control. Being able to let passengers know how long they can expect to wait and being able to show that action is being taken to reduce congestion means customers feel more relaxed and get on with enjoying their journey.