Hamad International Airport in Qatar has launched the Android version of its iBeacon enabled HIA Qatar app, following the release of the iOS version earlier in the year. The airport has also released a major upgrade for its iOS app, which makes use of Apple’s indoor positioning technology. Hamad International partnered with Apple to become one of a handful of airports globally to have implemented this technology.
The app’s landing screen identifies the user’s location in the terminal and offers a search function to look up a flight by number or destination, as well as locate amenities, services, and shopping and dining options using brand names or key words. For example, searching for ‘coffee’ or ‘handbags’ will list all the outlets that offer these products, with the nearest one listed first. The user is then assisted with a turn-by-turn navigation to reach their selected destination.
Passengers can also scan their boarding pass to provide real-time information about flight status, baggage claim, time and direction to boarding gates and food, beverage and retail offers from Qatar Duty Free (QDF).
Suhail Kadri, vice president information technology at Hamad Airport, said, “Investing in state-of-the-art technology is crucial for maintaining our position among the top airports in the world. By leveraging our in-house expertise to design and develop, as well as partnering with industry leaders, we are continuously innovating technology-based services to make a difference for our customers.”
Abdulaziz Al Mass, vice president commercial and marketing at Hamad Airport, said, “We aim to provide our passengers with a seamless travel experience and trust that our latest effort will enable more of our customers to benefit from the improved context and time sensitive information provided by our travel-companion app.”