Airports Company SA (ACSA) is moving ahead with its strategy towards becoming a digital business and is now planning to introduce e-gates across the country's airports.
This was revealed by Sello Mmakau, CIO at ACSA, during the second meeting of the Public Sector ICT Forum held at the Westcliff Hotel in Johannesburg this morning.
The announcement marks another step in transforming ACSA into a digital business. The airports company has set out vision 2025 to become the most sought-after partner in the world for the provision of sustainable airport management solutions.
Last year, OR Tambo International Airport introduced a smart security check process to speed up passenger progress through security and further enhance security through use of state-of-the-art scanners.
Presenting ACSA's strategy of introducing technologies, Mmakau said the company aims to improve passenger experience and drive digital transformation. "We need to bring high value for business and we must do that in terms of IT capability."
According to him, ACSA has successfully piloted e-gates in Cape Town. "When you travel you simply scan your passport and pass through the boarding gate to your airplane.
"The plan is to deploy this at our airports, but I have also decided to speak to the Department of Home Affairs so that we can collaborate to create a seamless boarding process.
"It doesn't help to queue at immigration services but when you get to ACSA gates you are able to pass through. I'd like to see this become an end-to-end solution. We are going to collaborate with Home Affairs so that we can scan your passport until you get onto the airplane."
Mmakau envisions transit through a world-leading airport to be one where passengers buy and print their flight tickets from home, book a parking bay, access self-bag drop facilities, move to e-gates to scan passports and walk straight into the plane without speaking to any service provider at the airport.
"As the Airports Company SA we run airports and our passengers are tech-savvy, these are the people that fly through the best airports in the world like Singapore and Munich.
"When these guys come through OR Tambo or the Cape Town International Airport they need to go through the same experience. We must continue keep abreast and meet their high expectations," he concluded.
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