HKIA Technovation Conference explores data analytics and intelligence applications

Airport Authority Hong Kong (AA) has held its third annual Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) Technovation Conference and Exhibition, welcoming more than 650 participants from the airport community, government, and technology and innovation industries.

The theme of the conference focused on data analytics and intelligence applications, with representatives from the airports of Frankfurt, Germany, London, UK, and Toronto, Canada, all in attendance.

The conference examined the trends and possibilities of such applications in airport operations, inviting participants to brainstorm new ideas and stimulate new thinking for improving both work processes and the passenger experience.

Addressing the ceremony, Fred Lam, CEO of the AA, said, “HKIA strives to provide a pleasant travel journey for our passengers from curb to gate through the application of new technology. Recent examples include augmented reality to allow passengers to easily navigate the airport and through location technologies like iBeacon, we can seamlessly deliver tailored messages and promotional offers for individual travelers.

“Behind-the-scenes, video and data analytics enable us to deploy manpower and other resources more effectively and efficiently round the clock.

“Beginning next year, we will be building real-time capabilities in passenger analytics and customer relationship management. We will also be using data analytics to improve our predictive capability for some of our systems, such as the automated people mover rail shuttle and the baggage handling systems. Today’s conference serves as a shared platform to exchange ideas and learn from the successes of our peers.”

Around 30 companies exhibited their latest innovations and shared how they have been applying data analytics and intelligence technology to develop smart solutions.

Demonstrations included the application of virtual reality and augmented reality in building design and airport maintenance. Exhibitors also showcased wearable devices and robots that can assist or improve airport operations.