07 Dec ARE AIRPORTS MISSING A TRICK WITH INDOOR DIGITAL SIGNAGE?
When thinking about indoor digital signage, modern travellers consistently face 3 challenges that can diminish what would otherwise be a very pleasant experience: navigation, entertainment, and retail experiences. We’ve all been there… running late for check-in, a sea of check-in counters and no useful map in site. Then you glimpse the words “You Are Here” hidden behind a cloudy pane of glass on a map – no help whatsoever!
Getting passengers to their destination in an airport is time critical stuff so how can digital signage displays help? Once checked in, airports have a great opportunity for sales and up-sell. To make passenger’s time before or after a flight as pleasant as possible, travellers can be wooed with engaging video content and shopping experiences. Are airports missing a trick here?
It’s fair to say there are some amazing airports in Europe and USA that have done this well and the digital entertainment factor is very high. The digital screen below shows children becoming immersed in the content – their actions become mirrored in the display. Anyone travelling with kids will understand how valuable this level of engagement and video entertainment can be whilst in transit mode! At Perth Airport, Yap!digital have implemented a number of internal carousel advertising kiosks and LED screens, plus outdoor marketing screens to remind travellers of what’s on offer in the Airport. 
For about a decade now airports have been implementing self-serve check-in airport kiosks to cut down on increasing wait times and give passengers multiple check-in options. As a result, major airports saw wait times drop 30 percent from 27 minutes to under 20 minutes average wait at check in.
Another great benefit of digital signage media systems is that they can be intelligently updated and linked. Traffic, curb side pickup, and even ticketing, can be made more efficient and flexible with bright digital signage. This allows airports to post gate announcements, creative welcomes, and advertisements.
Following are the top five uses for airport indoor digital displays and kiosks
- Wayfinding and navigation
By implementing interactive wayfinding maps on airport kiosks throughout the airport, confusion can be greatly decreased and passenger stress reduced.
With wayfinding software, users can be presented with a fully interactive overview of the entire airport with a clear indication of “you are here.” Interactive touchscreens allow the user to choose what they are looking for, whether it be a gate number, restrooms, food, gifts or anything else. The airport kiosk screen can then display the quickest route to that service and even print out a map for the user.
- Hotel, food and entertainment information
Digital signage kiosks placed in the pickup/transportation zone provide information about local accommodations, hotels, restaurants and entertainment. This is a great way for the city to advertise up and coming shows, concerts, casinos, sports events and more. This improves the visitor experience, while increasing local tourism.
- Lost and found
Losing something in the terminal or leaving something behind on the plane is an everyday occurrence. As a result, there are a number of lost and found software options available for airports to choose from. Digital signage kiosks help to locate missing items and pick up points. A VOIP phone handset can also be installed on the airport kiosk to allow the user to call the lost and found hotline if one is available.
- Advertisements and promotion
The average person is using touchscreen technology more and more each year, and we are trained as a society to pay attention to something when presented on a screen. As a result, airport kiosks are an ideal vehicle for advertisers to effectively get a message out to the public. This can be a great way to generate revenue to fund the kiosk or software options, engage tourists to use local businesses and communicate any other kind of promotion that might benefit the airport, such as parking notices or policy reminders.
- Security warnings
Security is the top priority for airport authorities. One way to improve security in an airport is to enhance every means of mass communication to travellers to aid in urgent situations, and an airport kiosk is a very effective tool to push out that content. The content manager can suspend the current attract screen loop or interactive content and push out emergency messages.
One airport that is utilising digital signage to great effect is Los Angeles International Airport, who recently upgraded their Tom Bradley International terminal with a comprehensive multimedia overhaul. This project involved the creation of a multi-faceted modular storytelling experience that included welcome walls, a storyboard, destination board, and “time tower.” Time tower is a four-sided installation that is 72 feet tall and uses dynamic content software to project updates, alerts, and advertisements.
Looking to upweight your digital signage footprint?
We’re the indoor digital signage experts — Yap!digital are proudly the best in the Perth digital signage business. We’ll help get you up and running as quick as possible.
If you need engaging and effective kiosk solutions talk to us today. Contact Tim at +61 8 9274 5151 or email tim@yapdigital.com.au.
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