Blog Details

Digital Technology Transforms Passenger Behavior and Spending at Airports

Digital innovation is reshaping industries around the world, and airports are no exception. The integration of technology into airport services has significantly changed how passengers travel, spend, and experience time during their journeys.

Priority Pass, a global provider of airport lounge access and fast-track services, recently released a survey highlighting how digital transformation is influencing traveler habits and spending behavior at airports. The research involved 12,000 travelers from key Asia-Pacific markets including Hong Kong, Australia, India, Indonesia, Singapore, South Korea, and Thailand.

With airports becoming increasingly automated, the value of the airport technology market is projected to grow from 55.05 billion USD in 2025 to 85.12 billion USD by 2033. Common technologies being implemented include biometric identification, automated check-in, and baggage handling systems. In regions with high travel volumes such as Asia-Pacific, the most widely adopted technologies are fast-track security (78 percent), digital boarding passes (77 percent), self-service bag drop (74 percent), and advanced security scanners (72 percent).

This automation trend has also changed shopping patterns at airports, as travelers now have more free time before boarding. The survey shows that 68 percent of Asia-Pacific travelers, including 77 percent of Gen Z and 73 percent of millennials, are spending more at airports because they save between 10 minutes and one hour per trip. Most passengers use this extra time for dining (58 percent), shopping (51 percent), or visiting airport lounges (46 percent).

The use of airport lounges has become a growing trend, supported by automation and digital booking systems. Lounge experiences remain a vital part of the airport journey for many Asia-Pacific travelers, with 80 percent reporting that they have used a lounge at least once. Technology has made lounge access more convenient, with 42 percent booking through mobile applications and 46 percent believing lounges are becoming more appealing thanks to improved digital services in dining, entertainment, and workspace facilities. Payment card programs also play a role in enhancing these experiences, as 67 percent of respondents accessed lounges through card-based membership systems.

These findings highlight the growing connection between digital innovation and airport services. Technology continues to enhance passenger comfort and engagement, creating new opportunities for banks, membership programs, and service providers to attract regional travelers and strengthen the role of digital solutions in the aviation industry.