7 Benefits of Low-Code/No-Code Solutions for the Airport Industry
Imagine a world where every airport operation is streamlined and personalized, where each interaction with technology is designed to enhance efficiency, security, and passenger satisfaction. In this relentless pursuit of excellence and process optimization, airports deploy innovative solutions to balance operational efficiency and traveller and employee experience.
Facing a consistent rise in passenger numbers and their expectations, rapid technological advancements, and growing demands for sustainability and compliance, the airport industry must continually innovate to remain competitive. Challenges such as access control, baggage and flight management, infrastructure maintenance, cybersecurity, and regulatory compliance are complex. Additionally, passengers’ expectations for personalized services and seamless experiences continue to grow.
Low-code/no-code development solutions have emerged as essential tools to address these challenges. They allow the industry to innovate swiftly, offering the flexibility and scalability needed to meet current and future needs. By leveraging these technologies, airports can optimize operations and redefine service and customer and airport community experience standards.
Low-Code/No-Code Solutions: A Strategic Asset for Modern Airports
Developing applications for entities the size of an airport is a complex and arduous task. Rigorous steps such as compliance checks, management approvals, and resource management are essential. However, in the quest for efficiency and reduced timeframes, traditional development methods often prove too slow and costly. Low-code/no-code development solutions have become indispensable for addressing the industry’s needs. These platforms enable airports to create applications and interfaces quickly and cost-effectively, facilitating key operations such as employee access management, baggage and flight management, reservation engines, freight management, customer check-ins, loyalty programs, payment gateways, and booking systems.
Additionally, these solutions must meet regulatory and industry requirements, such as those set by IATA and government authorities. With a low-code development platform like Power Platform, data exchange between internal systems and third-party external systems becomes easier while ensuring complete security compliance when developing applications based on international safety requirements and data protection regulations.
Benefits of Low-Code/No-Code Solutions
Let’s explore 7 key benefits of these solutions in the airport sector :
1. Faster Time-to-Market
After the industry-wide slowdown caused by the pandemic, the airport sector has experienced a rapid surge in activity, intensifying the need for increased agility. Low-code/no-code platforms provide a solution to this demand, enabling developers to design and deploy applications and solutions much faster than traditional development methods. This speed allows airports to respond agilely to operational needs and evolving passenger and employee expectations.
2. Cost Reduction
By minimizing the time and resources needed to develop applications, low-code/no-code solutions can significantly cut costs. This enables airports to save while continuously innovating and implementing new features.
3. Ease of Use
Designed for users with little to no programming experience, low-code/no-code solutions empower airport business teams, such as operations, customer service, and marketing, to create and customize applications without always needing to rely on professional developers, especially for simple applications. Additionally, some low-code solutions offer AI assistants, like Copilot in Power Platform, to assist non-technical users in developing their applications. This fosters cross-functional collaboration and allows end-users to contribute directly to creating solutions tailored to their needs, enhancing operational efficiency and passenger satisfaction. However, for more complex cases, collaboration with developers is advisable to ensure the product’s quality and reliability.
4. Flexibility and Scalability
The flexibility offered by low-code/no-code solutions is unparalleled in customizing airport applications according to specific needs. This adaptability enables quick integration of new features or modification of existing processes to comply with regulatory or operational changes. Moreover, their scalability ensures that applications can grow with the needs of the airport without requiring expensive overhauls. For instance, a resource management application can quickly adapt to incorporate new passenger tracking modules or advanced AI technologies to enhance security. This agility is essential for airports to remain competitive and meet travelers’ growing demands.
5. Seamless Integration
Low-code/no-code solutions, such as Power Platform, are often designed to integrate seamlessly with other systems and applications, whether internal or external. This allows airports to integrate new applications with existing systems, such as flight management, booking systems, or human resource management, for a consistent and smooth user experience.
6. Process Automation
Low-code/no-code solutions can also automate many operational tasks, reducing manual labor and minimizing human errors. For instance, automating maintenance request or security check procedures can accelerate operations and enhance accuracy, contributing to overall efficiency and cost savings.
7. Enhanced Security
Security is a top priority in the airport industry, and low-code/no-code solutions often incorporate robust security features to protect sensitive data. These platforms allow the development of applications compliant with the industry’s most stringent security standards, ensuring a reinforced defense against cyber threats and data breaches. For instance, strict access controls and encryption protocols can be easily implemented to safeguard passenger information and operational data.
Examples of Low-Code/No-Code Solutions in the Airport Sector
Low-code/no-code solutions offer numerous opportunities to improve airport operations. Here are a few examples of what is possible:
1. Internal Service Portal for Airports
Modern airports can accelerate modernization by automating and creating more accessible essential services through low-code solutions. These digital enhancements may include:
- Baggage tracking
- Check-in procedures
- Flight dispatch operations
- Knowledge base
- Queue monitoring
- Security checks
2. Passenger Mobile Applications
Airports can use low-code platforms to rapidly develop mobile applications enhancing the passenger experience. These applications can offer:
- Real-time flight information
- Gate change notifications
- Real-time baggage tracking
- Digital concierge services
- Airport maps and navigation
3. Resource and Access Management Systems for Employees
Using low-code/no-code solutions, airports can develop resource management systems optimizing personnel efficiency and operational flow. For example:
- Employee, airport employer, and supplier profiles management
- Key management
- Access pass and authorization management
- Automation of repetitive and costly employee tasks
- Certification management and scheduling for permits
- Airport vehicle management (excluding aircraft)
These use cases demonstrate how these solutions can transform airport operations, offering increased flexibility, efficiency, cost savings, and reduced development timelines.
Enhance Your Airport Operations with Logient
Innovation in the airport sector is ever-evolving, with technological advancements revolutionizing how airports manage operations and interact with passengers. From access management systems to digitizing operational processes, airports strive to stay at the forefront of technology to offer an exceptional travel experience while ensuring safety and efficiency.
At Logient, we understand the unique technological challenges faced by aviation stakeholders. With our technical expertise and deep understanding of regulatory and operational requirements, we have contributed to the digital transformation of several Canadian airports, among the largest in the country, by developing innovative access management solutions. Our agile approach and commitment to delivering cutting-edge technological solutions make us a trusted partner in airport efficiency.
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