Contactless transactions will be a feature of many airports as they begin to reopen fully with the easing of global Covid-19-related restrictions. Looking at the food and beverage sector, Grab, which operates an airport e-commerce platform, has partnered with in-airport food and retail delivery specialist AtYourGate to provide a range of services to help the aviation industry and passengers as the world re-opens.
Grab said the partnership will enable airports to provide both pickup and delivery at participating food and beverage and retail concessions, and noted that this also gives flexibility to passengers who will be able to order from their own devices while socially distancing.
The company said its omnichannel platform enables guests to order through a variety of digital channels and the partnership with AtYourGate will bring the added option of airport delivery, allowing guests to order and have food and retail purchases delivered to their gate while waiting for their flight. Guests will have the ability to order across terminal and security lines, enabling a wider breadth of dining options.
Jeff Livney, chief experience officer at Grab, said, “This collaboration is designed to support the industry as we face some of the toughest challenges we’ve ever seen. Having contactless ordering options during this health crisis is no longer just a ‘nice to have’ – they are going to be fundamental to the way we all do business going forward.”
The partnership will be offered to airports in North America, with opportunity to expand into further markets in the future.