unveils new arrivals at Chicago's Terminal 5

The Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA), in partnership with Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW) Airports, has unveiled an Evolve by Hudson store in the newly-expanded Terminal 5 at O’Hare International Airport and confirmed that it will joined by Chick-fil-A and Protein Bar & Kitchen outlets this summer.

Locally-owned Hyde Park Hospitality and its partner Phillips Concessions, 100% Airport Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (ACDBE), will own and operate the Chick-fil-A restaurant. While the also locally based Protein Bar & Kitchen will run the O’Hare location along with ACDBE partners DC Garrett Group and Chicagoan Miguel Cruz of BT Express.

The concessions’ locations are a part of the largest set of concessions agreements at O’Hare in more than 30 years, which were proposed by mayor, Lori Lightfoot, and approved by the City Council in May last year.

“Our continued investment at O’Hare is creating thousands of jobs, new opportunities for diverse businesses and an unparalleled traveller experience,” said CDA commissioner Jamie Rhee. “The expanded Terminal 5 is bringing new and exciting dining and retail to the airport and building an even stronger representation of local and minority business owners.”

URW’s senior vice president of airport operations, Brian Petrow, said: "The growth and opportunities we’re creating at Terminal 5 are exciting. We are thrilled to partner with the CDA to create a more diverse, dynamic experience for our customers.”

The restaurant openings are part of the $1.3 billion revamp of Terminal 5 that added 350,000 square feet and 10 gates and modernised the existing space. Delta Air Lines moved from Terminal 2 into Terminal 5 in October 2022.

Smiths Detection to upgrade checkpoint security at New Zealand's airports

Smiths Detection has been awarded a contract to supply New Zealand’s Aviation Security Service (AvSec) with advanced checkpoint security technology for its five major international airports.

The agreement will result in the supply of 35 of its HI-SCAN 6040 CTiX computed tomography (CT) X-ray machines across Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, Queenstown and Wellington airports.

Smiths Detection notes that the HI-SCAN 6040 CTiX meets international regulatory requirements in both the USA and EU and will ensure "the highest level of security while improving the experience for both passengers and operators".

The carry-on baggage scanner can speed up security screening by allowing passengers to leave laptops and liquids in their cabin baggage, as well as deliver cost savings to airports as it is the most energy efficient checkpoint CT X-ray on the market.

In addition, Smiths Detection will also supply its iLane.evo smart automatic tray return system solution – which delivers a steady flow of trays, removing bottlenecks and providing a seamless checkpoint journey – and its iCMORE Weapons algorithm that supports security operators by identifying knives, guns, gun parts or ammunition concealed in bags.

Each piece of equipment is part of Smiths Detection’s integrated checkpoint and uses leading-edge technology designed to help increase security, improve passenger experience, and enhance operational efficiency.

“We’re delighted to be continuing our long-standing relationship with New Zealand AvSec. Through the roll-out of this technology, passengers flying out of New Zealand’s international airports will have a smoother and more efficient checkpoint experience," enthused Smiths Detection’s North & South Asia market head, Aurelien Guilbert.

AI adds new dimension to HappyorNot terminals

HappyOrNot has added another dimension to its offering by enhancing its customer feedback terminals with artificial intelligence designed to capture more demographic information about users.

The new terminals use a built-in camera system and AI software to unlock and connect in-moment anonymous feedback data with respondent(s) demographic information.

The demographic analysis works by converting and mapping facial features into numerous data points to form a vector. The anonymised vector is then analysed by the AI to estimate the feedback provider’s age and gender – with up to a 95% accuracy rate.

HappyorNot is quick to point out that unlike facial recognition tools, its updated Smiley Touch terminal does not identify the individual, instead its only purpose is to analyse a silhouetted vector, which is specifically designed to hide the respondent’s identity.

"We know that when it comes to customer loyalty, all it takes is one good or bad experience. Yet, providing a personalised service can be challenging when you have a broad range of customers," says Miika Mäkitalo, CEO of HappyOrNot.

“Our priority has always been to make customer feedback more digestible, and this latest version will go a long way in providing another layer of context for businesses. This new capability is brilliant for our customers, and I’m very pleased that we are the first in the market to deliver this innovation.”

Queenstown selects Elenium's bag drop and check-in technology

Elenium has been selected by Queenstown Airport to provide it with new bag drop and check-in kiosks as part of a multi-million dollar upgrade of the terminal designed to make it more accessible and user-friendly.

The scope of its solution will cover six new bag-drop units and a further nine self-service kiosks by June this year, which will provide a full and fast check-in process. This is in addition to the 15 kiosks that were installed in 2019, along with full management and monitoring software that will ensure operational issues can be addressed proactively.

“We are pleased to partner with Elenium again on a technology solution to enhance customer experience at Queenstown Airport and support staff working here," said Queenstown Airport’s head of infrastructure delivery, Jo Learmonth.

"We want to get passengers checked in as quickly and easily as possible and this investment will help us to achieve that."

Elenium CEO and co-founder, Aaron Hornlimann, believes the upgrade shows Queenstown Airport’s commitment to modernisation and improving the customer experience.

He said: “Nobody likes waiting in queues to check in or drop bags. Queenstown Airport has shown that self-service technologies can not only help at peak times, but they can provide a better passenger experience, encouraging those visitors to come back."

Th Airport Consulting

Membership Region: Africa

Type of Business: Consulting & Management

W: www.th-airport.com

TH Airport Consulting offers service excellence for planning and the optimisation of airports with a focus on Passenger Experience, Terminal & Master Planning, Airport Processes & Security as well as Airport Strategy development.

Casper Airport Solutions

Membership Region: North America

Type of Business: IT & Communications

W: https://casper.aero/ Casper is an innovative IT company specialised in the development of real-time location-based monitoring and analysis tools. Casper delivers airport noise and flight tracking systems, A-CDM situational awareness solutions and interactive community involvement websites.

Rosenbauer International Ag

Membership Region: Africa

Type of Business: Security

W: www.rosenbauer.com/ Rosenbauer is a world leading manufacturer of firefighting and disaster protection technology. The company develops and produces vehicles, fire fighting systems and equipment for customers all over the world including airports, unicipalities and industry. All the main standards are covered by products manufactured in Europe, the USA and Asia.