Planning An Airport Event: A Guide To Success

Airports are busy places, filled with people travelling to and from destinations. Airports can be a great place to host an event, with many people passing through, and a captive audience. Airports can be used for events for aviation operations professionals, such as the International Airport Summit, which offers advice on elevating the passenger experience. Airports can also be a great place to keep children entertained with games such as I Spy and thumb wars. If you're looking to host an event at an airport, you can attract new airlines with attractive offers and more reliable services.

How to keep kids entertained at the airport

Keeping kids entertained at the airport can be a challenge, but with a little creativity, it can be done. Here are some ideas to keep boredom at bay and ensure a fun airport experience for the whole family:

Play I Spy: Airports are filled with interesting things to spot, so this classic game can be a great way to pass the time. From unique luggage designs to interesting aircraft, there's plenty to keep little ones entertained.

Explore the food court: Turn mealtimes into an adventure by making it a progressive dinner. Start with appetisers at one restaurant, then move on to the main course at another, and finally, finish with dessert at a third location. This not only keeps kids engaged but also introduces them to different cuisines and cultural experiences.

Have a thumb-wrestling tournament: Thumb wars are a simple yet effective way to pass the time and can be played almost anywhere. Create brackets, try two-out-of-three matches, or even challenge fellow travellers passing by. It's a fun way to burn some energy and keep everyone entertained.

In addition to these ideas, you can also bring along some travel-sized games or activities specifically designed for on-the-go entertainment. Colouring books, portable board games, or even a simple deck of cards can provide hours of fun and ensure a smooth journey for the entire family.

How to elevate the passenger experience

Airports, airlines and technology companies are the three main pieces responsible for enhancing the passenger experience. When they work together, the passenger is happy and enjoys the journey. However, when things go wrong, travellers often associate delays, missed connections and poor travel experiences with the airline.

One way to elevate the passenger experience is to provide travellers with information at their fingertips. This means seamlessly weaving together up-to-date information from the airline and accurate airport location data to give them a complete picture of their journey from start to finish. This allows passengers to navigate complex changing spaces with confidence.

Another way to elevate the passenger experience is to use blue-dot-enabled navigation, which shows passengers exactly where they are on a map, providing precise contextual information and optimal routes to help them get the most out of their time in an airport. When travellers are relaxed and confident when they arrive at their gate, they feel more positive about their flight and their travel experience overall.

Relaxed travellers who feel in control of their journey are also more inclined to visit restaurants and retailers and indulge in personal care or entertainment while waiting for their flight. One study showed that happier travellers spend more money at the airport, up to $200 on average per visit.

How to attract new airlines to your airport

Airports are always looking for new tenants, but how can they attract them?

Firstly, airports need to show airlines where they can fit and how their operations will not be constrained. This means having physical gates available and pricing that is not prohibitive.

Secondly, airports can spend marketing dollars to attract new service. Every airline gets pitched by airports as to why their facility should be the next added to the airline’s route map.

Thirdly, a ground handler with an international reputation will provide better services to airlines and attract them to the airport. These services (cleaning of aircraft, passenger check-in and boarding, ramp handling, etc.) directly impact the perception of the passengers on the quality of the airline itself.

Finally, tourism boards can get involved in conversations about new routes to increase the attractiveness of the destination to airlines.

How to diversify airport offers

Airports can diversify their offers by attracting new airlines with attractive offers and more reliable services. They can also deploy new technology and work on enhancing the passenger experience. Airports can also diversify their food and beverage offers by encouraging passengers to explore the food court and try different restaurants. Airports can also organise events and activities to keep passengers entertained, such as games and tournaments.

How to keep costs down

When organising an event at an airport, there are several ways to keep costs down. Firstly, it is important to start planning early, as this will reduce stress and enhance opportunities for innovation, partnerships and promotions. You should also clearly define the purpose of the event and its objectives, which will help you to stay focused and avoid unnecessary costs.

To keep costs down, you could consider attracting new airlines to the airport by offering them reliable services and attractive deals. You could also focus on enhancing the passenger experience, for example by improving the food court or providing entertainment for children.

Another way to keep costs down is to carefully estimate your budget and create a timeline for the event. This will help you to identify areas where you can save money, such as by using existing airport facilities and technology rather than hiring external suppliers. Finally, you can keep costs down by coordinating all of the event services, such as catering and music, to ensure they work together effectively and avoid any unnecessary expenses.

Frequently asked questions