Wednesday, July 2, 2025
26.7 C
Haikou

How to Dodge the Worst of May Holiday Traffic...

Plan your May Day trip smartly! Avoid traffic jams on Hainan highways with peak travel tips, scenic detours, and travel advice for a smooth holiday ...

Explore Hainan on a Budget: Special May Day Sightseeing...

Celebrate May Day holiday with unforgettable budget sightseeing bus tours across Hainan! Take advantage of limited-time special offers on five exclusive routes, plus extra discounts on popular island and rainforest tours …

Starting March 20, All New Energy Vehicles Entering Hainan...

Starting March 20, Xuwen Port will no longer handle ferry services for new energy vehicles. Instead, all such services will be managed exclusively by Hai’an New Port ...

Sanya Implements New Hotel Cancellation Rules to Improve Tourist...

Sanya has introduced new hotel cancellation guidelines, allowing full refunds for early cancellations and prioritizing consumer rights through the "Sanya Worry-Free Travel" platform ...
spot_img
HomeExpats in HaikouHaikou Meilan International...

Haikou Meilan International airport to make the leap to 5G

Haikou Meilan International airport to make the leap to 5G, the future of smart airports and what it means for you, the traveller.

According to the Hainan Daily newspaper, Hainan Airlines and China Mobile have signed a strategic cooperation agreement to create a 5G network at Haikou, Meilan International Airport. So, what does this mean for you as travellers and what does a future Meilan Airport look like?

We’ve said it before 5G is going to change everything every industry, every business, and every experience

We’ve said it before, 5G is going to change everything – every industry, every business, and every experience. 

The days of building a network only for mobile phones are gone. 5G is engineered for a new generation, where billions of connected devices will power smart buildings, smart cities, smart homes and even…… smart airports.

cell technology
Workers on a cell tower

Currently, wireless network technologies utilised by airports include cellular networks, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Project 25 (P25), (digital two-way wireless communication devices designed for government agencies and emergency services).

Many of these technologies are reaching their end of life, and airports are now turning to 5G as a key driver for the digitisation of the airports of the future.

This translates to an amplified connectivity experience for passengers.

Transit through airports will become more enjoyable
Transit through airports will become more enjoyable

Airports are no longer seen as evil necessities, a place for travellers to endure as they trudge from point A to point B, but as marketing, technology, and economic hubs generating aviation and non-aviation revenue and contributing to the local economy.

Airports are seen as miniature smart cities
Airports are seen as miniature smart cities

The new vision for airports is miniature smart cities combining multiple stakeholders: airlines, retailers and advertisers, passengers, transport and security companies and consumers are now expecting digital engagement and personalised experiences from end to end.

The future of 5G airports is smart machine control, smart security, 4K uninterrupted videos, holograms, AR/VR and online interactive cloud gaming.

5G will usher in unprecedented connectivity and intelligent automation, digitising airport economies, enabling data-heavy innovations like augmented reality and allowing the-Internet-of-things to become pervasive.

Augmented Reality

Augmented reality in airports
Augmented reality in airports

With augmented reality, (AR) for example, the world can be overlaid with information in real time, providing users with new ways to interact and engage with airport surroundings.

Augmented Reality Navigation at Gatwick Airport
Augmented Reality Navigation at Gatwick Airport

In combination with modern smartphones, it can provide real and practical benefits. An accompanying app can deliver sat nav-style directions to a traveller’s portable device, getting them where they need to go more quickly and efficiently.

Getting lost when trying to find your vehicle in the airport car park will become a thing of the past, the same goes for missing a flight because of confusion over terminal and gate numbers.

Autonomous robots

Tellu, the 5G enabled robot at Helsinki airport
Tellu, a 1.5 metre high robot at terminal 2 of Helsinki Airport

Tellu, a 1.5 metre high robot at terminal 2 of Helsinki Airport is part of a trial by Telia and Finavia to explore the possibilities of using 5G in airport operations to see how passengers as well as airport personnel interact with an autonomous robot performing service tasks.

Equipped with 360º vision and video feed capabilities Tellu assists security staff, using 5G to send video of the terminal back to the security center.

Other possible jobs for Tellu are expected to include customer service, guiding passengers through the terminal, as well as different security and monitoring tasks.

The possibilities for Tellu are constantly evolving.  

Airports are becoming testbeds for new technologies
Airports are becoming testbeds for new technologies

Airports are fast becoming testbeds for new technologies, including passenger identification systems, automated border control systems, biometric systems, mobile apps, sensors, connected cameras and baggage reclaim systems.

Dedicated high-performance wireless networks will be used to streamline airport operations, both inside and outside the terminal, helping provide a better experience for passengers from smart buildings and smart gate planning, as well as 24/7 traveller assistance and information, and even food delivery services to the gate

Wearables will drive efficiency
Wearables will drive efficiency

Wearables can also be used in an airport to drive efficiency. The Northern Kentucky International Airport uses a solution that combines mobile devices and smart sensors to notify staff when there is high demand for restroom facilities and the related need to clean them.

Airport parking will be streamlined
Smart airport parking will be streamlined

The 5G airport will focus on delivering an enhanced and personalised customer experience, right from smart parking on arrival, through baggage drop off, to navigational aids, security checks, restaurant and shop information, to boarding.

According to a study from the Airport Council International (ACI), a 1% increase in passenger satisfaction generates an average growth of 1.5% for an airport’s non-aeronautical revenue.

Fewer delays and more efficiency

Aircraft turn around time will become more efficient
Aircraft turn around time will become more efficient

Aircraft turn around will benefit from real time updates for air and ground crews.

Currently airspace users have their own equipment and sensors, either on-board or as ground devices. These sensors collect data from the airspace in order to make management decisions.

But aviation data is usually not universally exchanged between different data owners. Airspace users sync data to their local networks first using either wired or wireless links and due to current capabilities only share the minimum amount of data required by authorities.

This not only disables real-time monitoring but also makes data analysis harder as time windows have to be synchronized in order to provide system analytics.

5G networks will change all that, enabling data sharing in real time to central servers instead of necessitating middleware through local networks. 

5G networks offer machine-to-machine interaction by design and it’s these features which will enable a quantum leap forward in efficiency.

While 5G hasn’t arrived yet in its full capacity, smart data-driven solutions are already making their way into airports. 5G era technologies will be the future for improving passenger experience and boosting operational efficiencies.

Related article: Hainan’s 5G technology drive

Leave a Comment:

Make-a-comment-or-complaint
Comment

- Advertisement -

spot_img

Related articles:

Investment Opportunity: Haikou Hainan Digital Health Port Project

Find out more about Haikou’s landmark healthcare investment opportunity at the Hainan International Digital Health Port. Backed by the Free Trade Port’s incentives, the project integrates health education, advanced medical services, and pharma-device trade to foster a digital medical ecosystem …

Hainan University Summer Vacation schedules 2025

Universities across Hainan have begun releasing their summer vacation schedules for 2025. According to official academic calendars, the start dates vary due to differences in teaching arrangements. Some schools will begin their break as early as the end of June, while most are set to start in early July ...

Hainan Free Trade Port Opens Customs Declaration Sector to Foreign Companies Without Local Legal Entity

While not glamorous, customs declaration is the backbone of international trade. To "engage in customs declaration business” means to provide professional services that help importers and exporters handle all the formalities and paperwork required by customs authorities when goods cross international borders …

Hong Kong Investment Firm Launches Hainan’s First Foreign-Led Stem Cell Venture

Haikou moves toward becoming a biotech hub with its first foreign-invested stem cell company, which will recruit top-tier talent and collaborate with local institutions on clinical stem cell applications …

Get weekly email updates for new articles published!

Haikou
overcast clouds
26.7 ° C
26.7 °
26.7 °
96 %
4.2kmh
95 %
Tue
27 °
Wed
31 °
Thu
30 °
Fri
30 °
Sat
31 °

Cosy Stays Beyond the Ordinary

Relax, Unwind, and Explore Hainan's Hidden Gems

Puerto Libre Tapas: A Taste of Latin and Mediterranean Cuisine

Located in Xiuying District, Haikou, Puerto Libre Tapas brings together Latin and Mediterranean flavors in a relaxed and inviting setting. The warm decor blends Mediterranean charm with Latin energy, making it a great spot for a casual meal or special night out ...

The Paddy Shack: A Taste of Comfort in Chengmai

Tucked away in the quiet streets of Laocheng Town, Chengmai, just outside Haikou, The Paddy Shack is a welcoming spot for anyone craving hearty...

Batumi: A Taste of Georgia in Haikou

Haikou's dining scene just got a flavorful upgrade with Batumi Georgian Food and Wine. If you're looking to try something new, this is the...
spot_img

Bored? Need to get out more?

Latest News ...

Magnificent Yahu Rice Terraces or Tourism and Marketing Hype?

Rapid tourism development has transformed what was once a working agricultural landscape into a managed tourist attraction. It has generated significant marketing hyperbole heavily promoting the area far beyond what the actual experience delivers …

Haikou School Closure Status During Typhoon Wutip

Haikou's kindergartens are closed today (Friday, June 13, 2025) due to Typhoon Wutip's impact on Hainan Island. According to the latest Chinese-language sources, Haikou City, along with Ding'an and Tunchang counties, upgraded their typhoon warnings from blue to yellow on June 12th afternoon ...

How Strong Is Topical Storm Wutip? Projected Intensity and Classification

Typhoon Wutip is projected to reach wind speeds of 25 to 33 meters per second (m/s), which corresponds to Beaufort scale levels 10 to 12. This is not considered a "super typhoon" or one of the largest storms, but it is still a "big" storm by general standards …

Blue Typhoon Alert Issued for Sanya

A tropical depression is expected to affect Sanya over the next 24 hours. Winds in coastal and inland areas will intensify, with sustained speeds reaching Level 6 and gusts up to Levels 7–8. The system will also bring heavy rain and severe thunderstorms. Residents and organizations are urged to take precautions ...
spot_img

Looking for an international pre-school in Haikou?

Flora's International Preschool has three preschools in the Haikou area. Our schools follow a European curriculum

Continue Reading ...

A Taste of Georgia in Haikou: Wine, Cuisine, and Culture Night at Batumi

On Friday, June 20th, 2025, from 7:00 to 9:00 PM, Batumi will bring a piece of Georgia to Haikou with an event that combines traditional Georgian cuisine, five varieties of Georgian wine, and live music …

“Our Expression” – Li Ethnic Plant Dye & Rattan Weaving Art Exhibition in Hainan

Explore "Our Expression," a showcase of Li ethnic plant dye and rattan weaving from Wuzhishan’s Maodao Township. Open until July 14, 2025, at the Hainan Provincial Cultural Center in Haikou. Includes workshops and activities on June 21–22 …

Hainan to Host 2025 UCI Granfondo World Series Qualifier

The UCI Granfondo World Series includes a new qualifying event in Hainan, in December 2025, offering amateur cyclists a chance to compete for a place at the 2026 World Championships in Japan …

Get weekly email updates for new articles published!

Never miss another important notice or event. Be informed of what you need to know, when you need to know it.