No check-in desks

Passengers can check in earlier, choose a seat and obtain a boarding pass via the Internet or phone from home or the office. Self-check-in machines have already been put into use. EasyJet in Europe and Qantas are removing their check-in desks from airports.

Rapid, high-tech emigration and immigration procedures

E-passports, biometric-based technology and ID cards will enable travelers to come and go quickly.

In certain airports, passengers can use their passports to bypass the traditional emigration and immigration procedures, such as INSPASS in the United States, the iris Recognition Immigration System at Heathrow, IACS at Changi and the "U-shape" at Incheon International Airport.

No check-in baggage

Airlines are encouraging passengers not to check in baggage but rather to take it onboard as carry-on. Large baggage will be delivered via cargo.

The report predicts a delivery company will send someone to fetch travelers' baggage about a day before their departure. When travelers get to their destination, their luggage is already there.

Trusted travelers bypassing security checks

Frequent travelers will go through a thorough security vetting process undertaken by police, security forces and government departments to identify them as "trusted travelers". And travelers must give up their personal information to become trusted travelers and get a biometric security pass to use a special lane at the airport.

The Checkpoint of the Future advocated by IATA and "U-shape" at Incheon is based on biometric technology.

No shops, only showrooms

After sampling and evaluating a particular item in showrooms, travelers just need to order it and it will be delivered to an address. This can spare travelers from having to carry more items onboard.

It's happening in some airports that operate the "You Shop, We Drop" program.

24-hour airports

Airports in Europe have curfews and, thus, a limited capacity. A development that will hasten the ending of curfews is improvement in aircraft noise. The A380 has shown how much noise can be reduced.

Most airports in Asia are running 24 hours a day because they are located in the suburbs.

China Daily

(China Daily 02/01/2012 page18)