QATAR. Hamad International Airport has launched the Android version of its iBeacon enabled mobile app.
The ‘HIA Qatar’ app provides real-time information about flight status, baggage claim, time and direction to boarding gates, and food, beverage and retail offers from Qatar Duty Free. The app requires a scan of the user’s boarding pass and opt-in for location detection.
To tell customers about special deals, the app alerts the user when walking past outlets with promotions.
Users can conduct a search using the app, with outlets listed by proximity. A turn-by-turn navigation system allows them to reach their selected destination, Hamad International said.
The location services currently primarily address the departure and transfer experience, including retail, dining, boarding gates and other airport amenities. However, coverage is being progressively increased.
Hamad International has also released an upgrade for the iOS version of the app, which now makes use of Apple’s ‘Indoor Positioning’ technology.
“Investing in technology is crucial for maintaining our position among the top airports in the world,” said Hamad International Airport Vice President Information Technology Suhail Kadri. “By leveraging our in-house expertise to design and develop; and partnering with industry leaders, we are continuously innovating technology-based services to make a difference for our customers.”
Vice President Commercial and Marketing Abdulaziz Al Mass commented: “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.”
