Airports in the post-COVID time. Setting the new normal.
Marco PICI
Helping our customers to deliver the ultimate travel experience with the most advanced, efficient and sustainable technologies
As Airports and Airlines are being prepared for the post-COVID time, I'm thinking that travel will not be the same anymore, in particular if we refer to the short-medium term (from zero to 18 months?).
For Airports to start their operation in the post-COVID time, 3 areas in particular requires immediate intervention and investments, these are:
- Sanitisation & Control
- Social distancing
- Airport Operation
The pace with which the Airports and its operating Airlines will get to the new-normal, will depend on how fast and effective the Airport will react in these areas. It is in fact particularly urgent to re-establish passengers confidence is a safe travel.
A fourth area, if rapidly adapting to the new, post-COVID, passenger profile, might also bring a very attractive Return of Investment, that is the Non Aeronautical Business.
These needed changes will also demand for an increased and strong cooperation among Airport and Airlines, as well as involvement and closer cooperation among all Airport tenants and stakeholders. Only a coordinated effort from the whole airport community will allow a fast return to pre-COVID times and results, and hopefully better.
These efforts and investments that are mandated in the coming weeks/months, will not be wasted, in addition to allow the Airport to quickly return to business, they will contribute to make the overall travel experience more pleasant in the foreseeable future.
I'll elaborate into the four areas in separate articles and we'll see also how technologies can be leveraged to help in this situation.