The sky’s the limit for airports powered by 5G

After almost three years of dampened demand for flying, airports are now back in full swing. Revenge travel — tourists' way of making up for lost time for travel during the pandemic — has crowded airports once more.

This renewed inclination to fly calls for a greater need for many airports to modernise and upgrade their features and services. For example, in 2022 alone, airlines were reported to have lost passengers’ luggage to hours-long waiting times at check-in stations.

Fortunately, technology is here to usher in the future of airports and aviation. In 2020, the global 5G market in aviation recorded a value of USD210 million.¹ By 2026, this value will jump to USD4.2 billion, a 56% compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) in five years. These numbers reveal the great potential and utility of 5G in the aviation industry and for airport operators worldwide.

5G’s key features of enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB), massive Machine Type Communication (mMTC), and ultra-Reliable Low Latency Communication (uRLLC) prove it is a crucial element in building the airports of the future.

Increasingly, airports in different parts of the world such as London and Hong Kong, have already adopted 5G technology to transform their spaces into one that promises heightened security and convenience to passengers.

Below, we share how airports worldwide are adopting 5G.

When airports and airlines introduced self-service kiosks a few years back, they promised passengers a quicker way to check-in. One key component that enabled this was the built-in cameras in self-service kiosks that identify passengers. In some airports today, self-service kiosks still experience delays due to network deficiencies or data difficulties.

Fortunately, with 5G’s low latency, these cameras can run facial recognition software faster, with little to no lag, promising a quicker check-in experience for passengers. Certain carriers that harness 5G millimetre wave (mmWave) support, like Singtel, also allow airports to deploy more advanced features into these self-service kiosks faster.

For example, some self-service kiosks can also process baggage on top of facial recognition. The facial recognition software not only identifies the passenger's name, but also processes backend support for airlines, allowing both the passenger and the airline to track luggage in real-time. Some airports take it a step further by texting or updating passengers via an app about which carousel carries their luggage.¹

These 5G-enabled cameras also provide more effective security measures in airports.² A public demo by Singtel proved that 5G-enabled cameras could detect security breaches in under three seconds; this is faster than 4G-enabled cameras, which promise threat detection in under 10 seconds. Immigration agencies would then have a more reliable partner in delivering their mandate.

On-ground operations can also be more streamlined as these facial recognition systems can be programmed for AR devices. This way, not only security cameras can be equipped with facial recognition features; airline personnel can also use the data to identify passengers and determine their flight details when they are in lounges or entering departure gates. In one airport in China, airline personnel already use AR glasses to welcome passengers without manually checking their flight information.

Airport personnel are typically required to prepare for the needs of a plane even before landing. However, flight attendants and other personnel on-board are unable to communicate such needs to those on the ground until the plane lands.

With 5G’s mMTC and eMBB capabilities, this process can be made easier. Planes with 5G can allow airport personnel to download diagnostic and other flight data from five miles out during a plane’s descent. ³ Access to such information at the right time can enable a better-timed and delivered logistics plan, as on-ground personnel can then prepare every piece of equipment needed to ready the plane before it flies again.

This data, for example, can inform on-ground personnel about everything — from how much fuel the plane requires to how many pieces of luggage handlers must unload. Even the entertainment demands of incoming passengers can be better accommodated to with 5G, as airline operators can upload new movies and shows much faster to the cloud.

Not only does this save time for the airline, but it also keeps airport operations productive. This logistics process is crucial – it enables the airline to deliver on its promise to transport passengers on time and allows the airport to accommodate as many planes as possible.

As airports look for fresh ways to develop more modernised and effective on-ground operations, smart robots can play a role in delivering mundane yet essential tasks. However, automated devices can only perform at their best when enabled by high-speed data. A 5G-enabled airport network can track, control, and command automated devices that can enable greater efficiency in airport operations.

Airport landing areas, for example, can be subject to multiple weather conditions resulting in various debris — from birds to snow. A 5G-enabled airport network can command automated robots to clear runways to prevent delays during take-off and landing. In 2021, an automated snowplough was launched, which can be helpful in airports that experience harsh winters.

The sky is truly the limit when it comes to 5G’s power to transform airports. Its low latency, coupled with its eMBB and mMTC features, can make airlines and airports smarter, and allow for greater convenience and comfort for passengers.

Get in touch with us today to know more about how 5G can transform the business of flying even further.
 

References

1. GSMA, 5G transforming Airport and Aviation webinar - powered by GSMA APAC 5G Industry Community, 2022.
2. Wipro, 5G: Taking the Aviation Industry to New Heights - Wipro, 2021.
3. TMForum - Inform, Moving beyond connectivity with 5G: Lessons from the aviation industry, 2020.