The $ 1 million question, especially at a time when coronavirus continues to spread is this: when are we going to travel again ?! Experts say some things need to happen before air travel returns and some precautions can be taken permanently. We got some tips on what to consider if you have a summer reserved trip or fall trip, and whether or not you should book the cheap flights you are seeing now ...
How coronavirus affects your travel plans
Borders have been closed, flight schedules have been reduced, and as we stay home for an uncertain future, many of us are postponing trips that were eagerly awaiting this year. All over the world, airlines have updated their cancellation policies and completely banned certain flight routes in this unprecedented era of travel restrictions due to coronavirus. Argentina has banned flights from abroad and within the country until September, but not only! One thing is for sure from everyone: we will travel again, but it will not be the same!
Even if the borders are reopened, passengers must believe that boarding is safe and that they will be able to enter the destination. New health safety protocols and systems will need to be in place, and these have not yet been determined. While governments and the aerospace industry plan to recover in this new context and adapt to the changing behavior of travelers, the use of digital identity and biometric technologies can restore confidence while also ensuring trouble-free travel. However, these tools will only be effective if users think their data is protected. Privacy, consent and transparency of data must be at the heart of any technical solution.
Touch-free journey
The most immediate and perhaps most noticeable change will be a shift in travel without touching from the airport turn to the hotel check in.
Automation across the sector will become the new norm. Biometrics are already a widely accepted solution for identity verification, and their use will become more widespread as physical fingerprints and hand scanners are removed. More touching options will come into play including fingerless fingerprint as well as facial recognition through the iris of the eye. Furthermore, technology for introducing untouched data such as gesture control, scanning documents without touch, and voice commands are already being tested.
So far, there is no standard or agreement on the acceptable level of risk for reopening borders or allowing individuals to travel. Until a vaccine is developed, the focus is shifting to assessing the risk of individual passengers. With the consent of the passenger, travel companies and airlines can use personal data such as their age, basic health conditions and travel history to compile an individual risk profile.
Efforts to develop health protocols and standards using digital technology for the travel and tourism industry are still in their infancy. Meanwhile, airlines such as the Emirates are conducting tests instead of COVID-19 for passengers. European airports have begun drafting industry guidelines for passenger health control.
Digital traveler
Many organizations are already developed in the idea of the digital traveler. This should be accelerated to enable the new rate, help businesses adapt to changed consumer behavior and rebuild trust. Integrated digital identity solutions are essential for realizing a personâ??s untouched journey and maintaining a personâ??s risk profile, enabling them to manage real-time risks.
