As the world is suffering from the COVID-19 global pandemic, there has been a growing desire to implement temperature checks at airports to identify individuals who may be unwell. Besides automated temperature check kiosks, the use of self-service technology in airports has grown largely over the last decade. In most airports, you will find self-service kiosks for self-check-in, baggage drop and passport control. The main driver for self-service technology in airports is to reduce wait times. As aviation grows and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) forecasts that air passengers will double in the next twenty years, reducing wait times becomes vital to maintaining good customer experience in airports.
Air travellers can be more likely to encounter any viruses in airports and on aeroplanes due to close proximity to other passengers and lack of fresh air circulation. Therefore, airlines may look to introduce temperature checks at airports before passengers check-in or board a flight. Although temperature checks cannot detect COVID-19, they will detect abnormal temperature readings, and prevention is key to limit virus spread.
In some airports, airlines have begun to carry out temperature checks with a handheld thermometer operated by a staff member. However, handheld thermometers require a member of staff to run these checks which could put their health at risk, cause queues and become costly by requiring additional staff members. Self-service technology provides a better option, with automated temperature check kiosks.
Can temperature kiosks detect coronavirus?
Temperature screening kiosks are not medical devices, and cannot detect if an individual has a virus. These automated kiosks are 100% non-contact and read the temperature of a person standing in front of the device in around 1 second, and will confirm if an individual has a normal or abnormal reading. The process is extremely quick and accurate, which means no additional workload for the employees or long wait times for travellers.
How are kiosks being utilised in airports?
Temperature checks are being carried out at airports mostly using either a handheld thermometer or temperature check kiosks. These may be implemented at:
- Check-in desks
- Security
- Boarding gates
- Passport control
Passengers may have to undergo checks at several points on their journey, including before a flight and after landing.
How do temperature kiosks compare with handheld thermometers?
In comparison with standard handheld thermometers, temperature kiosks offer:
- It decreases the risk to employees as they can be easily distanced from the passengers standing in front of the kiosks
- No extra staff members are required to carry out the temperature checks are the kiosks are 100% self-service
- Decreases wait times and anxiety for passengers at the airport
What are the key features of temperature kiosk for airports?
- Provides accurate temperature reading from a suitable distance
Airports and airlines can depend on temperature kiosks for accurate temperature readings. The kiosks use infrared thermal imaging technology and have an accuracy of ± 0.5°C, ± 0.9°F. The optimal distance for temperature reading is 0.5 metres which allows for social distancing between the individual having their temperature read and any staff member who is nearby, such as behind a desk.
- Reads when an individual wears a mask
The kiosks easily detects temperature, even from users who are wearing a mask. If you wish to make mask detection as part of your checks, you can set the kiosk to check if users are wearing a mask and display a no entry alert for those without a mask.
- Rings an alarm for fever alert
An alarm function is provided in the kiosk functionality. When the temperature of an individual exceeds that limit, an alarm will sound to alert staff members.
As the commercial aviation strives to rebuild the level of passengers experienced prior to COVID-19, whilst simultaneously doing their utmost to prevent virus, no one solution will provide the pathway. Multiple measures working simultaneously will bring the best results for both the industry and air passengers. Temperature kiosks are undoubtedly a strong self-service solution which will form part of the strategy for many airlines and airports.
You can find more information on our automated temperature check kiosks here.
