The Benefits of Digital Signage for Airports
When digital signage hit the market, it appeared first in airports, among other places. Airports worldwide have digital displays and screens, which is awesome! The reason for this is easy to understand; airports are large and complex structures with countless elements.
Airport digital signage made this task much easier and transformed travelers' experience. They use digital signage to display humorous messages, such as Copenhagen Airport's “No winking, no blinking” sign.
Airports are increasingly leveraging digital signage to create a more welcoming environment for passengers and provide helpful wayfinding information, flight status updates, and even local business or attraction advertising.
However, it's crucial to consider the implementation of digital signage, as the full benefits of it can only be achieved when done correctly. That being said, here is everything you need to know about airport digital signage and its advantages and applications.
What is Airport Digital Signage?
Digital signage in airports is an excellent way for travelers to stay informed and for airports to keep them organized and safe.
By displaying security and flight information, real-time maps, and other helpful information, digital signage can help keep travelers moving swiftly and confidently throughout their journey.
Airports can use it to display helpful travel tips, retail and restaurant information, and more. Travelers can also access maps that give them a clear idea of where they need to go and view current information regarding flight status and other procedural requirements.
Using digital signage in airports means travelers can easily access all the information they need with the touch of a button. Not only does it save time, but because the screens are interactive and visually appealing, it can make flying a more enjoyable experience overall.
Airport digital signage allows airports to provide travelers with vital information while improving the overall airport experience. Screens and digital displays are used to make navigating an airport simpler and more efficient, saving both time and money.
The types of displays that airports use for digital signage include digital signs, kiosks, video walls, interactive screens, and more. Airlines can use these displays to display passenger information, flight and gate status, wayfinding maps, advertising, and more.
With digital signage, airports can create a more intuitive and pleasant experience for travelers while also optimizing operations.
Benefits of Digital Signage in Airports
For years, airports have relied on digital signage displays rather than traditional flex or static boards. Digital signages are more attractive and effective in engaging passengers for a longer period of time, as well as efficiently delivering information to the relevant passengers. Here are some of the top benefits of digital signage for airports:
1. Keep Travelers Well Informed
Airports are a hub of activity, and conventional signs are no longer enough to provide the necessary information to travelers.
With thousands of travelers coming in and out each day, it is challenging to accommodate everyone's needs with just one or two information terminals. Making it easier for people to ask for assistance is just as important as providing them with the necessary information.
That's why airport digital signage is the perfect solution! Digital signage can provide travelers with flight schedules, alert them to any unexpected changes, and even provide interactive displays. LED displays are especially popular for creating an immersive experience for passengers.
Flight scheduling can be daunting due to the sheer amount of data involved; every minute is precious. To address this, airports use digital signage systems to display flight information in an easily readable and engaging format. Before digital signage displays, the static signage would be here to display basic flight data.
However, digital signage now allows for interactive and informative content to be displayed, making the process more efficient. Despite this, delays can still occur, and passengers can remain unaware of the reasons or the timing of the delayed flight.
With the application of digital signage technology, airports can deliver messages quickly and aesthetically pleasing.
2. Entertain Waiting Passengers and Their Families
Waiting at an airport can be a tiresome experience, especially when it lasts several hours. To make the waiting time more bearable, entertainment is vital. There are plenty of ways to keep yourself entertained, from watching the news or weather to even advertisements.
To make the waiting experience truly enjoyable, however, non-commercial content such as cartoons is the way to go. After all, it's the perfect way to lower the perceived wait time and provide a great customer experience.
Airports can use digital signage in airports to entertain and engage passengers while they wait. Airports can use digital displays to show images, videos, and other content, as well as interactive games, polls, or quizzes.
They can also use digital signage to display public safety announcements, travel tips, and information about local attractions or events. By providing engaging content, digital signage can help make the airport experience more enjoyable for travelers and help to reduce wait times.
3. Digital Signage Can Improve Airport Efficiency
Digital signage can improve airport efficiency in a variety of ways. First, airports can use digital signage to display accurate, real-time flight information, departures, and arrivals.
This will reduce confusion and keep travelers informed, ensuring they make it to their flight on time. Directional signs can also be used to ensure people know where to go quickly, reducing congestion and lines.
Airports can also use digital signage to display promotions or other advertisements for airport amenities, such as restaurants and shops.
Finally, digital signage can aid airport personnel by displaying helpful information in multiple languages. This can save time and energy from having staff translate the same message repeatedly.
4. Smoother Internal Communication
Airport digital signage can provide numerous benefits to both external and internal audiences.
From passengers to staff members, digital billboard displays can make navigating the airport easier and more efficient. For customers, digital signage can provide information, instructions, directions, announcements, and news.
This helps to make their experience more enjoyable. For staff, airport management can use digital signage to facilitate smoother communication, especially in times of emergency, such as weather alerts and security threats.
With digital signage, staff can quickly and easily send a warning, ensuring that everyone is informed and knows the proper action to take. Digital signage is a highly versatile tool, capable of enhancing airport operations and the customer experience.
5. Maximize Wait Time Ad Revenue
It is no secret that travelers spend most of their time in airports waiting. From check-in to baggage claim and customs, passengers have little time for anything else, such as boarding their plane.
According to a report from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the average global airport waiting time is 137 minutes. This includes time spent checking in, going through security, and waiting at the gate before boarding. Yet 47 percent of this is wasted. This missed opportunity can be detrimental to airports, as they miss out on 64 minutes of potential revenue.
Advertisers increasingly recognize airports as a powerful platform to reach large, targeted audiences. For example, Jameson's 2016 St-Patrick's Day campaign in London Gatwick Airport saw over 100,000 travelers view the brand's display and advertisements over a three-day period, leading to a 39 percent sales uplift of Jameson at the Duty-Free store.
A dynamic, connected digital signage network is necessary to ensure airports can continue to captivate advertisers and reap the benefits of their campaigns. With a content management system that allows automated playback and detailed reporting, airports can simplify their tasks and maximize their success.
6. Speed Up Traveler Experience with Wayfinding
Navigating airports can be a stressful experience, with travelers often rushing from one place to the next to avoid delays. To improve their experience and set them at ease, airports must have a detailed way-finding solution in place.
However, traditional solutions are limited, making it challenging to provide travelers with a comprehensive listing of services and amenities. By deploying a system with a digital way-finding supplier, like ViaDirect, airports can provide travelers with the information they need to find their destination quickly and easily.
For example, Lyon airport placed kiosks not only inside the airport but near exits as well. This system led to 171,709 searches for guides in 2016, which equates to one search every three minutes. A comprehensive way-finding solution enables passengers to get to their destination faster, leaving them more time to explore the airport's shops and restaurants.
By helping passengers reach their destination, airports can ensure a more enjoyable journey for their customers.
7. Emergency Messaging
Airports must have a well-established plan for unexpected and potentially dangerous scenarios, such as an active shooter or natural disaster. Emergency messaging via digital signage should be included as a vital component of this plan.
Emergency messaging is an essential tool for airports to ensure the safety of their passengers and staff. By providing real-time notifications of unexpected events or changes, emergency messaging can help ensure that travelers are aware of any potential risks or disruptions and can help airport personnel respond quickly and effectively in the event of an emergency.
Emergency messaging can also be used to provide travelers with public safety announcements, travel tips, and other helpful information. By providing this information in an easily-accessible format, airports can help reduce the amount of time travelers spend searching for information and help to streamline operations.
Digital signage can be a highly beneficial component of this plan, as it provides a way to quickly and effectively communicate essential safety information to people in the area. With a network of digital screens, airports can quickly relay instructions to help people stay safe and secure.
The Most Effective Ways for Airports to Use Digital Signage
You have seen the benefits of having digital signage in airports with the correct content. You can quickly look at examples of airport digital signage if you are looking for ideas. Now, we want to discuss at least 3 ways you can effectively use airport digital signage:
1. Improve the Travel Experience with Digital Signage
At many airports, digital signage can be an effective tool for managing stress levels. People will be more at ease with good content like music videos and other visually appealing content.
Digital signage can also be quickly adjusted in emergencies, such as displaying directions to safety exits or other important messages. Airports can improve the travel experience with digital signage by displaying up-to-date flight information, security and immigration alerts, promotional discounts, and travel information.
They can also use digital signage to provide detailed information on various services, such as restaurants, shopping, ground transport, and local attractions. Finally, airports can use digital signage to display directions to key areas in the terminals, including ticket counters, gates, and baggage claims.
2. Digital Screens Providing Flight Information
Digital screens providing flight information can help airports manage operations more efficiently and reduce wait times for travelers. By displaying real-time flight and gate status, digital signage can help travelers quickly and easily find the information they need to board their flight.
Airports can use digital screens to display baggage claim info, public safety announcements, travel tips, and other helpful information. By providing this information in an easily-accessible format, digital signage can help reduce the amount of time travelers spend searching for information and help to streamline operations.
3. Digital Menus
Digital menu boards in airports provide an excellent advantage for both restaurants and customers.
Restaurants can easily display their food offerings and daily specials in stunning HD quality while reducing the expenses associated with printing traditional menus. Meanwhile, customers benefit from the convenience of quickly ordering food on the go, which is particularly beneficial in airports, where time is often of the essence.