Whenever we talk about the digital signage the first thing that strikes our mind are the big LED projectors, hoardings and electronic banners with colorful texts to advertise the products and services provided by the different businesses. Digital signage has limitless usage in the different industries and this technology was first adopted by the airports. Airports are large and occupies a great amount of space and have very complicated structures which requires big screens and digital displays in almost every corner. This has greatly contributed to the business of the airlines industry where the complex work has been simplified. The travel experience has become much enjoyable and manageable at the same time which has facilitated the work of the airlines staff and passengers travel experience.
The implementation of the digital signage in the airports have benefitted the lives of both the air staff and passengers. In the following blog, we shall see that what is digital signage, what is airport digital signage, ways to keep air passengers engaged with airport digital sign and usage of airport digital signage.
What is Digital Signage?
Digital Signage is also known as an electronic signage that uses the display technologies to display the images, menus, advertisements, messages and web pages. The technology that is used for the digital signage displays are LCD monitors, LED walls, video walls etc. These LED lights, LCD screens and plasma displays are used for targeting the customers with the help of the textual and graphic messages. It uses a computer component or player that is used for decoding the content for the signage. This enables a visual display on the electronic screen.
These digital signage is used in the public spaces like the malls, museums, clubs, churches, retail stores, hospitals, airports, restaurants. It is used for the outdoor advertising, marketing and for showing the direction or ways in a public space or arena.
Read More: What is Digital Signage? Everything You Need To Know
What is Airport Digital Signage?
Airport Digital Signage uses the electronic display screens that is used for conveying very important announcements and information to the travelers. Such digital signs in the airport area is also meant for informing or making announcements for the airport staff and other authorities as well. These digital signs in the airports is meant for displaying the flight status, timings, flight numbers and other important information related to the flying. This enhances the overall experience of the passengers while navigating an airport and operations. It enables the operations to become smooth and saves lot of expenses and cost.
These airport digital signage may be in the form of the large video walls, interactive tablets, digital TV screens and Touchscreen kiosks etc.
Ways to Keep Air Passengers Engaged With Digital Signage
The digital technologies used in the airports are meant for delivering an overall customer satisfaction and increases the revenue of airport industry. These digital signage solutions effectively provides the real time information, personalized services, messaging etc. The airports prioritizes the journey of passengers hence it takes up the responsibility to manage and plan out every step for the passenger. This encourages an overall customer loyalty, positive travel experience and reduction in stress levels etc. The digital signage solution has revolutionized the whole travelling experience for passengers or customers.
The three ways to keep the air passengers engaged with digital signage are :-
- Entertainment of Passengers
Whenever some passenger has to catch any domestic or international flight he has to take few hours in advance to reach the airport an check in his luggage. The waiting or queuing up for check-in, waiting at the boarding gate, custom checking and waiting time spent at the airport can be made easy with digital signage. Digital Signage enables the passengers to use this waiting time effectively by watching some interesting content, news, sports, weather reports and videos of the airport food court or shops available in the airport vicinity. This makes the waiting time for the passengers less frustrating that keeps them entertained and distracted in case of any flight delays.
There is transition in digital signage in airports taking place continuously that includes explore the implementation of screens as digital art works, creating environments that helps in escaping the airport confined space. The displays are getting integrated into the centralized security screening area and departure transit zone for exposure. This has helped to keep the passengers entertained throughout the waiting time. These displays uses the animation characters, colorful geometric shapes and beautiful nature scenes or views to grab the attention of the customers. - Keeping Passengers Informed
The passengers are usually confused and stressed in a long and complex structure of an airport. They usually cannot find their ways and navigating is a very confusing, frustrating and stressful thing to do. These digital signage or kiosks can provide an unambiguous and easy to find guidance to the visitors which facilitates their overall travel experience. The interactive digital signage and wayfinding signage provides a detailed map with step-by-step directions that allows the people to find their way out easily.
Apart from guiding the passengers there is security which is a priority for all the airports. The Digital Signage acts as an emergency alert and raises awareness during the alarming situations. With the help of a centrally controlled system the important messages can be displayed on the digital screens that can help in improving any situation through an effective communication process. - Keeping Travelers Engaged
Increasing the visual communication within the airports can leave a positive impact on operational functions and flow of passengers through the terminal. This gives a competitive advantage to the airports by enhancing the level of airport visibility for the passengers. The environment in airports is very appropriate for advertising purpose as the passengers have an ample of free time in their hands and they are more likely to make a purchase. The revenue of the airports shops, restaurants and bars can be increased through displaying pre-flight and gate side promotional offers.
Airports can achieve the engagement level through an effective online social media presence. This keeps the user-generated content and content feeds with brand-owned that highly engages people who are waiting at the airport. The airports can create a physical spot for Instagram selfie at the departure spots that shall boost the free marketing and increase customer engagement. These social media sites have millions of users which is considered as the biggest platform today for promotion of brand and marketing. These sites can build trust, generate traffic to airport and engage visitors.
Usage Of Airport Digital Signage
- Digital Menu Boards
The Digital Menu Boards used in the airports shall make the businesses grow and generate revenue. The digital menus are used for attracting a pool of customers by displaying colorful, enticing and mouthwatering food images and videos. This shall promote the food items and any seasonal or daily offers made on the specific food items or beverages. There is also a touchscreen or scanned digital menus that allows the customers to order quickly without any delay. This has eventually evolved the food businesses in the airports attracting a large number of customers. Digital food menu boards in the airports has benefitted the restaurants as well as the passengers in the airport. - Schedule and baggage information
The visitors have an easy access to flight and baggage information with these digital signage. The counter from where the person check-in his luggage there is a digital screen above that displays all the relevant information regarding the flight schedules and statuses at the entrance and in traffic areas in the airport. The digital displays highlights the baggage information. On the arrival airport one can get an estimated time of baggage arrival at the carousel. The flight name and number is being displayed at the carousel. - Wayfinding
The airports are extremely hectic, busy and large spaces that gets really difficult for the travelers to navigate. For this reason an airport requires the digital wayfinding systems that enables the travelers to find their own way and direction. This shall enhance their overall travel experience and satisfaction level. This removes confusion, ambiguity and troubles for the passengers as they can catch the flight on time without missing it. The wayfinding in the airports are kiosks, screens displaying digital maps and digital signs displaying gates and terminals. - Internal communications
Airports that utilize digital signage as a means of internal communications can expect employees that are more engaged, more collaborative, and more informed on the job.
The digital screens can be used for demonstrating valuable information to the employees. Internal communication is a very crucial aspect for the smooth functioning of the airports. Airports uses these digital screens for the communication that takes place amongst the staff or workers in the airport. The important announcements within the airport may include the employee recognition, alerts on flight delays or early arrival, any change in the policies or work procedures etc. This enables balance of work life culture. - Streaming video/news updates
The Airport displays can be used in the waiting areas to stream interesting videos or live news to kill the waiting time of the passengers. This definitely distracts the minds of the travelers which reduces their stress and frustration at work. This solution goes a long way and improves the overall airport and travel experience for the passenger. - Emergency messaging
If there is an emergency like situation, alerting needs or making announcements for any unidentified object or lost person the digital screens serves utmost in making announcements in relation to them. In the crowded places like the airports there is always a need of a back up robust plan if anything all of a sudden goes wrong. Putting up an emergency situation like terrorist attack or natural disaster on the digital signage should be a vital part of such emergency plan. Information regarding the safety procedures that needs to be followed for staying protected and safe is very important. - Advertising
The airports can sell the ad spaces on their digital displays to the bigger companies in order to gain high revenue. These eye catching digital screens in the public spaces like airports are considered as a super valuable asset for the businesses and airports.
