Beacons in Airports Provide Information for Travelers

Readers know we support  responsible beacon technology practices. Today’s story illustrates how airports can provide real-time updates about travel plans, accommodations, and flights to travelers by using beacons.

According to Luxury Daily, recent surveys show 53 to 77 percent of travelers in the United States would like for airports to send real-time updates on gate changes and flight times to their mobile phones. Companies like Swirl believe that because beacons can offer travelers a valuable and personalized the mobile experiences, travelers would be to share some level of personal information. However, this is an opt in service: a customer or traveler would first need to download a mobile app and opt-in to receive these beacon-triggered messages and content.

Some airports, like the Miami International Airport, have rolled out programs that use beacons to help users find the correct gate and send push notifications for restaurant and store deals when travelers are walking around. Airports and travel brands who are interested in implementing beacon technology must be willing to invest in some infrastructure or technological changes, and develop partnerships with retail brands and mobile payment solutions.

This opt-in use of beacons in airports is just one example of the many ways beacon technologies are growing this year, and providing value to mobile users in a privacy friendly manner.