Airports are always buzzing with activity, from people checking in their luggage to passengers boarding their flights. It’s a transportation hub that never runs out of action, which calls for a well-organized and efficient system to manage foot traffic and keep people informed of their flight details.
That’s why you see digital signage being used quite heavily in airport terminals. From the moment you walk in, you’ll see screens every couple of feet displaying flight schedules, boarding information, arrival and departure times, and wayfinding solutions.
True enough, digital signs aid in the day-to-day operations of an airport, helping keep passengers updated on their flights and assisting them in finding their way to key areas in the facility.
Uses for Airport Digital Signage
Airports utilize digital signage primarily as a source of information for travelers. They display important flight details and tell the passengers exactly where they need to go and when they need to be there to successfully board their flights.
But other than that, you’ll also see airport digital signs being used for wayfinding, announcements, advertising, and even entertainment.
Flight Information
More than half of the digital signs in airports would contain information about flight schedules, boarding gates, boarding times, arrival and departure times, destination cities, and more. You’d be remiss not to find them, as they’re placed at the entrance, around every corner, inside every waiting area, and even in nearby establishments.
By having these important details in plain sight, digital signs help the airport serve its primary function of getting the passenger where they need to go. People highly rely on airport digital signage to keep themselves updated on their flight information and ensure that they don’t miss their flights.
Wayfinding
Airports are massive. So much so that anyone who isn’t a frequent flyer will likely get lost in the facility without digital signs that help them find their way. Especially in a setting where time is of the essence, digital signs serve as important wayfinding tools.
From pointing the passenger to the nearest restroom and introducing their restaurant options to leading them to boarding gates and check-in counters, wayfinding digital signs guide the passengers through the facility and assist them in navigating the airport with ease.
Real-Time Announcements
If you’ve noticed, flight information isn’t always set in stone. Even if the passenger is well aware of their flight schedule before even setting foot in the facility, airport processes are notorious for being unpredictable. Delays and cancellations can happen and boarding gates and pickup belts can change — all without prior warning.
Digital signs serve a very important purpose in the ever-changing airport environment. They help keep the passengers informed of their flight details in real-time and deliver important information in an instant.
Local Information
Airport digital signage isn’t limited to displaying details about flights. They can also go further to provide local information to passengers, especially those visiting for the first time.
Digital signs can be a valuable resource for weather reports and forecasts, city maps, events and tourist attractions, and city information. Tourists will appreciate this insight as it can help them plan their itineraries and maximize their visits.
Advertising
Digital signs are phenomenal tools for advertising. Utilizing DOOH, when ads are placed in the most strategic locations and optimized to display targeted and engaging content, airports can use digital signs to upsell amenities, introduce services, highlight promos and loyalty programs, and more.
They can also opt to sell ad space to local businesses and airport vendors for additional revenue.
What You Need for Airport Digital Signage
To set up airport digital signage, there are three essential things you need:
- Digital signage software
- Screens
- A media player
Digital Signage Software
Digital signage software is the powerhouse working behind the scenes. It enables you to manage and optimize your displays, from launching to scheduling content. Without it, you’ll be unable to maximize the flexibility of digital signage.
Airports typically need strong and reliable software to power up large or multi-screen displays. It should be integrable with hardware and other business tools like digital signage API for secure deployment of information, support remote access, and come with plenty of templates for easy content creation.
Digital Signage Screens
Digital signage screens come in a range of sizes. And most of them are well-utilized in airports. Around the facility, there are both small and large screens displaying a range of content — in fact, some airports even repurpose TV screens for digital signage applications.
A good rule of thumb is to have a couple of large screens for flight information and announcements. Wayfinding solutions are best presented in an interactive kiosk. Smaller screens or TVs will work for broadcasting local information and advertising.
Digital Signage Player
The lifeblood of your digital signage, a media player is what renders the content to the screen. There are plenty of options in the market, from Amazon’s Fire Stick to Raspberry Pi. When choosing a media player, make sure it has strong security features and can support the type of media you intended on deploying.
The Crucial Role of Airport Digital Signage
Airports heavily rely on digital signage to manage foot traffic and keep passengers informed of important flight information. Without it, it’s difficult to imagine how airport staff will direct passengers to the right gates or quickly disseminate information that comes with the dynamic and ever-changing environment.
This technology has become a staple in the industry, and today, it continues to streamline airport processes and improve passenger experiences.
Sign up for a free digital signage trial today with Rise Vision!
