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A recent study, “Investment trends in travel technology” by Amadeus, showed that airports are witnessing a rapid digital transformation, as the pace of travel industry transformation is set to accelerate with an average 14% increase in technology investment planned for 2024.

In recent years, passengers have seen tremendous changes in travel services, beginning with quick online purchase of tickets to electronic boarding passes and other areas.

Digital transformation in Saudi Arabia is one of the most important pillars of Vision 2030, as the Kingdom is considered the fastest growing in the field of airport technology in the Middle East region, according to Jihad Boueri, the Regional Vice President for Airport Affairs for the Middle East, India and Africa region at SITA.

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat on the sidelines of the first annual meeting in the Middle East of the General Assembly of the Airports Council International (ACI) in Riyadh, Boueiri pointed to a global technical revolution in the airport sector, but added that its implementation in the Kingdom was faster and stronger as a result of a solid budget and the development of new airports.

Asked about the challenges facing the sector, he said the need to train human resources and discover and develop young talents could delay the process of adopting modern technologies.

Sustainability also represents another challenge as the aviation sector is responsible for 4 percent of carbon emissions, he remarked, while highlighting projects such as reducing engine operation time, saving fuel to reduce thermal emissions, and choosing environmentally friendly devices at airports

Commenting on the future outlook for the travel industry, he stressed that airport technology was leaning towards allowing travelers to pass through free zones based on the biological fingerprint that collects all individuals’ information in a data cloud.

Travelers will also be able to check in luggage from home through airline companies, he said, noting that the Kingdom is taking great steps towards applying these advanced technologies.

In April, Saudia Airlines launched a trial version of the “Virtual Assistant with Artificial Intelligence Technology” platform, in cooperation with Accenture, the global management consulting and professional services company. The platform enables individuals to plan travel and complete all procedures with the aim of redefining digital travel standards.