Talking Solutions

Experts at a two-day international conference outlined the potentials and challenges of revamping airports in India to the satisfaction of the air traveller.

On april 29, experts from a wide range of disciplines pertaining to airport development and operational management converged in Delhi for a two-day International Conference on Indian Airports organised by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI). For SP Guide Publications, who was one of the sponsors, the event was of special significance as SP’s AirBuz was formally launched during the conference.

Chaired by Ashok Chawla, Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, who delivered the keynote address, the discussions were moderated by Dr Amit Mitra of FICCI. Minister of Civil Aviation Praful Patel was to have chaired the conference but was kept away, attending to an unforeseen commitment.

The future traveller

Ankur Bhatia of the Bird Group dealing with travel and hospitality focused on a global research study by Amadeus into the Demographics and psychographics of future travelers up to 2020. Findings of this study should help identify the requirements of modern airports and the need for technological integration between airports, airlines and booking agents. Categorising the global population of air travellers into distinct traveller tribes, the study analysed the key need of each group in order to spell out the attributes of airports to be built in the future. Observing that the technologies required were already available, Bhatia said, The future air traveller would look primarily at comfort, convenience, connectivity and cost. What is needed is proper planning and investment to meet the projected needs of the air traveller in 2020.