How Does Technology in Travel Support Connected, Personalised Experiences?

Technology is woven into daily life, from shopping to ordering lunch, and travel doesn’t buck the trend, with passengers using digital solutions before, during, and after their journeys. 

One of the biggest frustrations in air travel is fragmentation. Many airport systems are misaligned, leading to a disconnected experience for travellers. 

However, with airports role in positive customer experiences undeniable, technology in travel has a key role to play. 

Why is the Role of Technology in Travel Increasing? 

Over the years, digital solutions in airports have evolved dramatically, and passengers have become increasingly receptive to their role. 

For example, research shows that 87% of passengers now have a positive view of identity control, an 11% increase since 2016. A similar trend applies to baggage collection, with 84% of passengers giving favourable feedback, up 9% over the same period. 

With passenger expectations higher than ever, airports must create engaging experiences that drive loyalty and revenue. A key part of this is integrating non-aeronautical services, such as car parking, FastTrack, and airport lounges, into a unified digital ecosystem. 

At CAVU, we’re addressing this challenge with a technology-agnostic approach. propel™ connects disparate systems, eliminating the hassle of switching between apps and delivering a seamless travel experience. 

In this Q&A, Joel Godfrey, Digital Product Director at CAVU, shares insights on how data is transforming the passenger experience, how technology contributes to connected travel, and how propel™ is equipped to help airports deliver streamlined journeys.

Technology in Travel: How is propel™ Supporting Airports? 

CAVU: How does propel™ unify key airport systems to create a seamless experience? 

Joel: We’ve collaborated with airports worldwide to understand their most commonly used systems and integrated these into propel™. This means that when an airport adopts propel™, much of the required functionality is already in place. 

Our team continuously monitors emerging technologies and trends, ensuring that propel™ remains ahead of evolving airport needs. By handling these integrations behind the scenes, we allow passengers to focus solely on their journey. 

CAVU: What sets propel™’s integration capabilities apart from traditional airport technology? 

Joel: Unlike traditional systems that operate in silos, propel™’s approach to channel management allows inventory to be distributed across multiple channels through a single API.  

This means airports can offer their products to airlines, online travel agencies, and other partners with full control over availability. For partners, propel™ provides a simplified way to access inventory, reducing the technical complexity of integrations. 

CAVU: How does propel™ personalise recommendations for passengers? 

Joel: propel™ leverages multiple data points to tailor recommendations to each passenger. By analysing booking behaviour, travel logistics, party size, and capacity, we can present passengers with the best product at the right price. 

If passengers opt to share more data through our marketing channels, we can further refine personalisation, ensuring they receive highly relevant offers. 

CAVU: How does propel™ maintain scalable personalisation across different airport environments? 

Joel: Scalability is entirely in the hands of the airport. If an airport chooses to sell only a limited range of products, propel™ ensures passengers receive the best options within that category.  

However, the more products an airport integrates into the propel™ Inventory Warehouse and the more channels it utilises, the greater the revenue potential and the more personalised the experience becomes. 

CAVU: How does propel™ facilitate a single-basket transaction model across multiple airport vendors? 

Joel: propel™’s Marketplace platform allows airports to sell both their products and third-party services, such as eSIMs, travel insurance, and car rentals, all within a single transaction. The single-basket feature ensures passengers only need to check out once, paying in their preferred currency with their chosen payment method. 

Meanwhile, behind the scenes, propel™ seamlessly manages commissions and financial reconciliations, even when transactions involve multiple vendors in different countries.

CAVU: What are the benefits of propel™’s payment and checkout technology for passengers and retailers? 

Joel: propel™ partners with Stripe, a leading global payment provider, to offer seamless transactions. 

For passengers, this means being able to pay using their local currency and preferred payment method, with regional-specific options available where required. For retailers, Stripe ensures a secure and consistent checkout experience, simplifying transaction reconciliation and finance processes. 

CAVU: How does propel™’s single-basket feature increase conversion rates and passenger spending? 

Joel: By allowing passengers to add multiple products to their basket throughout their booking journey, propel™ encourages increased spending. For example, a traveller booking lounge access may also be offered a FastTrack security upgrade. 

Additionally, propel™’s bundling capability enables airports to create curated packages at a discounted rate, making it easier for passengers to purchase multiple services in one go. 

CAVU: How does propel™ balance data privacy, compliance, and real-time information sharing? 

Joel: Data privacy is a top priority for both airports and passengers. propel™ operates on a global scale but ensures that customer data remains within the country of origin. 

Each airport deployment is entirely separate, meaning no cross-sharing of passenger data occurs. Where information must be shared, strict cybersecurity measures are enforced, including encryption and restricted access for authorised partners. 

CAVU: How does propel™ stay ahead of emerging trends and airport needs? 

Joel: propel™ is continuously evolving, supported by a team of over 150 software engineers, product managers, UX designers, and analysts. We gather insights through airport workshops, passenger feedback, and data analytics to ensure we are developing solutions that add real value. 

By staying at the intersection of customer needs, airport commercial objectives, and technological advancements, we ensure propel™ remains the go-to platform for modern, connected travel experiences 

Embrace Technology in Travel with propel™ 

As airports strive to enhance passenger satisfaction while maximising revenue opportunities, the role of technology in travel has never been more critical. 

With propel™, airports can deliver seamless, personalised, and scalable experiences that meet the needs of today’s travellers. 

Book a demo today and learn more about how propel™ is revolutionising airport commerce.