Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) has unveiled a free Airports App that will assist passengers to not only easily navigate any of its nine airports, but also make all their travel arrangements from the comfort of their smart devices. The company which facilitates close to 35-million passengers a year is constantly seeking ways of enhancing service offerings.
In addition to expediting airline and parking reservations, the app puts the airport in the pocket of passengers by providing them with convenient tools to find shops and restaurants, airline, travel and traffic information, weather reports and customer care details. It will also assist passengers to easily plan their alternative transport and passengers travelling to Gauteng may synchronise with the Gautrain timetable.
Developed with Generation Y in mind, the app is initially available for download on Android, Apple iOS and Blackberry devices, with the exception of the Q and Z series. It was piloted by 20 individuals comprising Honours and Masters students majoring in the fields of Information Technology, Computer Science and Informatics, and Electrical and Electronic Engineering, together with faculty members of the University of Johannesburg. It was tested for any anomalies and functionality to ensure that it works well on a range of mobile devices.
Speaking at the launch of the app, Tebogo Mekgoe, chief operating officer of Airports Company South Africa, said the introduction of the app forms part of first phase of the roll out to introduce such innovative measures to improve travel efficiency at all its airports.
“We believe that the Airports App enables our business to take advantage of emerging technologies on smart platforms to offer travellers a virtual airport service, reliably and seamlessly. Statistics show that 79 percent of our travellers want more self-service options; it is an effective way of using technology to respond to passenger demands.”
The development of the Airports App is informed by research findings that 39 percent of Airports Company South Africa’s customers are between the age of 16 and 35, tech-savvy and have the information at their fingertips. This generation requires information 24/7 and the app is suited to cater for their needs.
“We are providing a tool that is simple and intuitive to ensure that travellers gain the advantage of accessing information anytime, anywhere. The growth of personal mobile technology has ushered in a new era of passenger-centric service, offering streamlined experience through a user-friendly interface,” Mekgoe adds.
Users will be able to do the following with the Airports App:
* Flights – search for flights can be done via a flight number or an advanced search option as well as checking in online. Once the flight is activated, any changes related to the flight will be visible to the passenger on their mobile device.
* At the airport – a list of the airlines that operate at the respective airports, as well as their contact numbers are provided. There is also a list of frequently asked information and contact details of the Customer Care department as well as the airport. Users will have access to a map of the airport developed in conjunction with TomTom and Micello Indoor Maps.
This allows the passenger to search for, and be routed to, a location at the airport. Parking options and other information such as a parking cost calculator are also available. Weather updates of conditions at the airport are sent through on an hourly basis.
* Shop and dine – a selection of restaurants and shops to choose from can be searched either by category, terminal or name. A currency calculator is also available.
* To and from the airport – traffic updates mean travellers can plan their trip to the airport more effectively. Also, there are listings and contact details of the car rental companies, Gautrain, taxis, and shuttle services.
