How Retail Kiosks Boost Airport Productivity And Efficiency

Airport kiosks have become increasingly common in recent years, with airports seeking to improve customer service and reduce congestion. By offering self-service check-in, printing of boarding passes and luggage tags, and even currency exchange, kiosks can significantly reduce wait times and provide passengers with a faster and more efficient travel experience. In addition, kiosks can also be used for wayfinding and navigation, hotel and entertainment information, and advertising, further enhancing their utility. From a business perspective, kiosks provide a cost-effective way for small businesses to enter the airport retail space and can help boost concession revenues. Overall, airport kiosks have the potential to revolutionize the airport experience, making it possible to move through an airport with minimal human interaction.

Retail kiosks can be used for wayfinding and navigation

Wayfinding software can include a fully interactive overview of the airport, with a clear indication of the user's current location. The interface can allow the user to select what they are looking for, and the kiosk can then display the quickest route and even print out a map. Wayfinding services are often displayed alongside up-to-date flight information.

Wayfinding kiosks can include many helpful software integrations, such as turn-by-turn directions, lighted paths, interactive maps, and mobile hand-off/SMS directional assistance. Interactive digital wayfinding maps can also be sent directly to users' mobile devices.

Wayfinding kiosks can be customised with a variety of self-service digital wayfinding software features that make it easier for users to navigate unfamiliar areas. For example, dynamic map pop-ups, smart search capabilities, and QR code readers that allow users to scan their boarding passes and instantly take route and facility information with them.

They can provide hotel, food and entertainment information

Airport kiosks can be placed in the pickup and transportation zones of the airport, providing information about local hotels, food, and entertainment. This can be particularly useful for travellers who are unfamiliar with the area. The kiosks can also be used to advertise upcoming shows, concerts, casinos, and sports events, thereby increasing local tourism.

The Tower Airport Kiosk, for example, is a sleek, modern computer kiosk that stands over 7 feet tall and allows users to access information about travel, transportation, hotel accommodations, local food, weather, and entertainment.

Kiosks can also be used to order food and drinks while at the airport. iPad kiosks at some airport restaurants allow customers to order food and drinks, browse the internet while they wait, and pay for their orders using their credit or debit cards.

Additionally, some kiosks can be used to book hotel rooms. For example, the Office Extension 2.0 kiosk can be used to "place phone calls through a directory or slideshow of quick-dial buttons", which could include hotels.

Airport kiosks can also be used to purchase travel insurance, such as the self-service kiosks at Malta International Airport, where GasanMamo Insurance deployed kiosks in 2009 that print insurance documents and offer 24-hour purchase protection.

They can be used to display security warnings

Retail kiosks in airports can be used to display security warnings. Security is the top priority for airport authorities, and airport kiosks can be used to enhance mass communication to travellers in urgent situations.

Airport kiosks can be used to display security warnings and other important information, such as what travellers are allowed to have in their carry-on luggage. This can help alleviate pressure on security officers and reduce waiting times.

In addition, airport kiosks can be used to display health and safety guidelines, such as hand sanitiser dispensers and fever-check cameras, which have become increasingly important in the post-COVID era.

The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the need for contactless interactions in airports, and airport kiosks can help to limit health risks to both employees and travellers. Kiosks can also be used to display wayfinding information, urgent updates, and advertising, in addition to security warnings.

They can be used to sell travel insurance

Retail kiosks in airports have proven to be productive and beneficial for several reasons. They can improve customer service and reduce airport congestion, and have become increasingly important since the COVID-19 pandemic due to the need for contactless interactions.

Retail kiosks in airports can be used to sell travel insurance. For example, GasanMamo Insurance has deployed kiosks in the check-in lounge of Malta International Airport, where travellers can purchase travel insurance and have the documents printed instantly. This is particularly useful for last-minute decisions and concerns, offering 24-hour purchase protection.

Selling travel insurance through kiosks in airports can provide several advantages. Firstly, it offers convenience and ease of purchase for travellers, especially those who are in a hurry or have not had the chance to purchase insurance beforehand. Secondly, it can provide an additional revenue stream for the airport, as insurance sales typically have a high-profit margin. Airports can lease out spaces specifically for insurance kiosks, generating rental income.

However, it is important to consider the challenges and ethical implications associated with airport insurance kiosks. In the past, insurance vending machines and kiosks were more common, but they faced issues such as high rents and competition from other sources, such as credit card companies offering travel insurance to their cardholders. Additionally, regulatory pressure and changing consumer demands have also contributed to the decline of these kiosks. Furthermore, instances of insurance fraud and terrorism, where individuals took out insurance policies and then caused explosions on planes, have negatively impacted the industry.

Despite these challenges, travel insurance kiosks can still be productive in airports, especially with the increasing demand for contactless interactions and the convenience they offer to travellers.

They can be used to sell retail products

Retail kiosks in airports can be used to sell retail products, and they have been used for this purpose since the 1980s. Kiosks provide a cost-effective way for small businesses to enter the airport retail space, without the costs associated with developing a traditional store. They are also a great way to showcase the community's retail offerings, giving local artists and entrepreneurs a platform to sell their products.

Retail kiosks can be used to sell a variety of products, from food and beverages to electronics, clothing, accessories, and skincare products. They can be used by both large, well-known brands and small, local businesses. For example, at McCarran International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas, 13% of last year's overall concession revenues were produced by 12 self-service vending units and 46 standalone carts and wall-unit kiosks.

The benefits of retail kiosks in airports include providing a space-saving alternative to traditional stores, especially in areas where space is limited or renovations would be costly. They also offer flexible leasing options, with shorter lease terms and less daunting financial commitments, making it easier for small businesses to test new business ideas without a significant investment.

Additionally, retail kiosks can attract impulse purchases from travellers, particularly those with expendable income and time to spare during delays and layovers. Well-designed kiosks with attractive displays and enticing smells can further enhance the likelihood of impulse purchases.

Frequently asked questions