Airports worldwide are being urged to sharpen their technology investment strategies, with a warning that spending without clear objectives can yield little benefit for passengers or operators. The caution comes from Luis Felipe Oliveira, former Director General of Airports Council International (ACI), who spoke during a webinar ahead of the World Aviation Festival in Lisbon, scheduled for 13–15 October.
Oliveira, now Executive Director and CEO of Exactly Consulting and Services Sarl, stressed that technology purchases must be tied to measurable outcomes. “Without clear requirements, airports risk investing money in things that won’t provide a great improvement for the airport and for its guests,” he said. His remarks resonate across an industry racing to adopt artificial intelligence, biometrics, and automated systems.
Matching tech to airport scale
The effectiveness of such investments varies significantly by airport size and operational complexity, Oliveira noted. A top-tier biometric passenger flow system may deliver strong returns at a major hub like Singapore Changi or London Heathrow, but the same system could be overkill for a regional airport handling a fraction of the traffic. Conversely, basic off-the-shelf solutions might fail to elevate the passenger experience at a busy international gateway.
Oliveira advised airports to develop a comprehensive technology roadmap that maps the entire passenger journey—from curb to gate—and ensures interoperability among different systems. He emphasised that technology should complement, not replace, human services, particularly as airports cater to diverse traveller needs, from families to business flyers.
The former ACI chief’s guidance comes as global air travel demand is projected to more than double by 2050, putting immense pressure on airports to expand capacity while enhancing the passenger experience. Airports that fail to align tech investments with strategic goals risk falling behind, he warned.
Oliveira will expand on these themes at the World Aviation Festival, where he will moderate sessions and engage with industry leaders. The event, a key gathering for aviation executives, will also feature discussions on topics such as record UK airport passenger numbers and the latest in travel technology.
For airport operators, the message is clear: define the problem before buying the solution. As Oliveira put it, “Technology is a tool, not a strategy.”
