This week's insights: ACI has launched a new guide, the future of intermodality and baggage trends shaping the industry

Welcome to this week's edition of the International Airport Review newsletter. This week highlights key trends shaping the aviation industry. We feature the launch of ACI World's "Airports and Accessible Travel: A Practical Guide," enhancing accessibility for all travellers, presented at the ACI Customer Experience Global Summit. Explore the integration of aviation with rail and other modes for seamless UK travel, and learn about the latest baggage handling trends amid rising mishandling rates. Discover Narita International Airport's sustainable initiatives and finally, tune into our podcast with Candace McGraw of Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Airport, who discusses enhancing airport operations through innovation and workforce engagement

???Latest articles: Dive into our Editor’s picks

?? ACI World launches new guide to enhance accessible travel

Airports Council International (ACI) World has announced that it has introduced the “Airports and Accessible Travel: A Practical Guide” aimed at improving travel accessibility for all passengers. The launch occurred at the Airports Service Quality (ASQ) Forum, part of the ACI Customer Experience Global Summit, which focuses on enhancing customer and employee experiences in airports worldwide.

The new guide has been developed by the ACI World Facilitation and Services Standing Committee in collaboration with various accessibility advocacy groups, ACI training partners, ACI Regions, ACI airport members and Customer Centric Consulting. The initiative received financial support from InterVISTAS Consulting and Amadeus.

Building upon the existing ACI World Airports and Persons with Disabilities Handbook, this expanded guidance offers updated best practices for integrating accessibility into both new and existing airport facilities. It includes practical recommendations, case studies and strategies for creating barrier-free designs and accessible services for passengers with both visible and non-visible disabilities, with an emphasis on staff training.

?? Bridging the gap: The future of intermodality between airports and rail

For International Airport Review, Helena Hill and Matt Mullen explore how integrating aviation, rail and other modes can create seamless travel experiences. Discover the challenges, opportunities and the transformative potential of a unified, customer-centric approach for the UK’s transport system.

When you book a trip, what are you thinking about? It’s a pretty good guess to say the destination; the hotel, the swimming pool, that tasty margarita! Then comes finding the right travel options. Scanning all those apps and websites to find travel options that tick the boxes around time, price and convenience.

As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, the aviation industry is faced with the pressing challenge of meeting growing demands for efficient and seamless travel, and this article explores the challenges, opportunities and value gained from such integration. Let’s deep dive into how aviation, rail and other modes could bridge the gap to create truly seamless, inclusive and easy travel experiences for all.

?? Baggage trends shaping the aviation industry

In Issue 2, International Airport Review outlines the key trends driving modern airport baggage handling, such as automation, advanced technology integration, and sustainability initiatives.

In air travel, efficient baggage handling stands as a linchpin for ensuring seamless journeys and satisfied passengers. According to SITA’s Baggage IT insights 2023 report, after more than a decade of reduction in mishandled bags, the global mishandling rate surged to 7.6 bags per thousand passengers in 2022 which is 74.7% more than 2021. This has led to bad press with global headlines and passenger stories being highlighted in the tabloid newspapers.

Baggage handling is still done largely in the same way as it was decades ago and has not modernised at the same pace as other industries, like manufacturing for example. The baggage sector is ripe for change, investment and technological innovation. The evolution is primarily propelled by technological advancements, shifting consumer expectations, and an unwavering commitment to heightened security measures. In this article, we examine the baggage trends shaping the aviation industry.

?? Unifying under the shared goal of Narita 2050: A sustainability story

International Airport Review caught up with Narita International Airport Corporation’s Chief of Sustainability, Takeshi Ishiguro. In this exclusive Q&A, we hear from Ishiguro about the small but powerful changes the company is making to manage emissions.

Tell us about yourself and your role at the airport.

My name is Takeshi Ishiguro and I am a member of the sustainability department at Narita International Airport Corporation (NAA).

Since joining the company, I have been engaged in a project to replace aviation lights with everyday lights, which are necessary for the safe take-off and landing of aircraft. I also supervise the construction of aviation light renewal work, new taxiway and apron maintenance work and develop renewal paths for existing facilities. Since being assigned to the airport sustainability department in December 2022, I have been working mainly on carbon neutralisation project for airport vehicles.

?? VIDEO: Schiphol’s Gertjan Bluemink on collaboration in the industry

Gertjan Bluemink, the Business Development Director of Passenger Experience at Schiphol, spoke to International Airport Review’s Editorial Assistant Chunekshi Wimalasuriya at this year’s Passenger Terminal Expo, discussing the need for collaboration in the industry and dealing with summer holiday season.

International Airport Review’s Editorial Assistant Chunekshi Wimalasuriya attended this year’s Routes Europe summit, held in Aarhus, Denmark. Here, she caught up with Giacomo Catteneo, the Director of Commercial Aviation at Milan Bergamo Airport, discussing the importance of non-aeronautical revenue, working with shareholders and factoring in auxiliaries.

?? VIDEO: iGA Istanbul’s Ismail Polat on innovations of the future

International Airport Review’s Editorial Assistant Emily Budgen attended this year’s ACI Europe’s Annual Congress, held in Istanbul.

Here, she spoke to iGA Istanbul Airport’s Chief Planning Officer Ismail Polat about future innovations in the aviation market and plans for the airport.

?? VIDEO: Milan Bergamo Airport’s Giacomo Cattaneo on non-aeronautical revenue

International Airport Review’s Editorial Assistant Chunekshi Wimalasuriya attended this year’s Routes Europe summit, held in Aarhus, Denmark.

Here, she caught up with Giacomo Catteneo, the Director of Commercial Aviation at Milan Bergamo Airport, discussing the importance of non-aeronautical revenue, working with shareholders and factoring in auxiliaries.

?? PODCAST: Enhancing airport operations and leadership through innovation, workforce engagement, and sustainability

Join Holly, Editor of International Airport Review in a captivating interview with Candace McGraw, CEO of Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Airport (CVG) and Chair of the ACI World Governing Board. This episode offers a deep dive into the operational strategies and visionary leadership that have positioned CVG as a standout in the aviation industry.

Candace McGraw discusses CVG’s recent accolades, including being named the best airport in North America serving 5 to 15 million passengers per year and her induction into the ACI World’s Director General’s Roll of Excellence. She reveals the airport’s commitment to understanding passenger personas and tailoring services to meet diverse needs—from enhancing accessibility for those with mobility issues to providing seamless digital experiences for tech-savvy travellers.

?? Curb to Gate: Smart Airports eReport 2024

As we step towards 2025, the aviation industry continues to evolve at an unprecedented pace, driven by technological advancements that are transforming every aspect of the airport experience. This year’s edition of the Curb to Gate Smart Airports eReport provides a comprehensive overview of the innovations shaping the future of airports and offers a detailed analysis of how these technologies are being integrated to enhance operational efficiency, security, and passenger satisfaction.

In this report, you’ll read exclusive articles from:

Avinor, Tallinn Airport, JFK International Air Terminal LLC (JFKIAT), SEA Milan Airports, Oman Airports & El Dorado International Airport