Airports around the world are working to meet a very interesting challenge — they are striving to become happier places. The source of this welcome challenge is the modern traveller who would like airports to become simpler, quicker and lovelier places to be in.
The significance of the transformation, the massive investment involved, plus the economic and security implications are evergreen topics of discussion across the aviation industry worldwide. There is widespread consensus that for airports to become happier places, they urgently need to create ample space and an adequate mix of amenities for the increasing number of passengers flowing through them.
Time spent in long queues at check-in and immigration control adds to passenger stress. Extended walks to the boarding gates are not soothing either.
Other irritants that contribute to the frustration include overcrowded waiting lounges, limited options in F&B outlets, a shortage of rest areas, frequent public announcements, no Wi-Fi, an absence of charging points for electronics, the unavailability of air bridges, or an endless wait in baggage claim besides an ageing carousel.
International airports are tasked with the need to accommodate not just more people, but also larger aircraft. IATA estimates that by 2034, annual passenger volumes will double from the current 3.3 billion to 7.3 billion.
Most carriers will continue to invest in larger wide-bodied jets, compelling airports to have, not just larger runways, but smarter immigration control, customs clearance and baggage handling systems.
For most major airports — think London’s Heathrow — options to physically expand are limited, mostly because they have exhausted their land bank. Some airports — like Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Airport — have undertaken impressive makeovers. Others are building whole new airports to augment their older ones — as we are doing at Dubai World Central’s Al Maktoum International Airport.
Howsoever each airport chooses to address its growth strategy, the objective is the same: to help more passengers fly happily, easily and safely. An airport’s popularity and economic success is directly related to how comfortable a passenger feels within its confines.
This comfort factor is all the more relevant to airports that facilitate large volumes of transit passengers, some of who may need to wait long hours for their connecting flights. Airports that are pronounced ‘unfriendly’ by passengers will haemorrhage business to those airports that are perceived in a positive light.
Dubai — and its airport which is the busiest in the world — has always endeavoured to keep passenger convenience on the forefront. Dubai International Airport (DXB) has three terminals with some of the most efficient and innovative systems designed to maximise passenger comfort.
A progressive formula comprising self check-in kiosks, e-gates, buggy transport, an inter-terminal train system, clean washrooms and showering facilities, lounges and rest areas, adequate F&B facilities, intelligent baggage handling systems contributes to passenger happiness.
Dubai’s futuristic Al Maktoum International Airport at Dubai World Central will take the happiness quotient to record levels. Once complete, AMIA will be three times more spacious than DXB, with capacity to handle more than 220 passengers per year.
AMIA’s five 4.5 kilometre runways will be linked to 400 contact stands that will quickly facilitate arrivals and departures. Among other things that should make this airport a delight to people young and old will be its pleasing architecture and ambience, hi-tech and user-friendly features, multi-level boarding systems, facilities for easy mobility and areas dedicated to family recreation and relaxation.
There will be hassle-free connectivity to the city, prompting more passengers to leave the airport and explore Dubai.
Just as our forefathers welcomed travellers plying ancient trade routes, Dubai’s airports will continue to welcome passengers from all over the world. We will keep ensuring that our airports become oases of comfort for tens of millions of happy people — and serve as doorways to the limitless possibilities that Dubai has in store for its visitors.
The writer is Executive Chairman, Dubai Aviation City Corporation.
