News in Localization: Global Air Passengers to More Than Double

This week’s News in Localization focuses on airline passengers. The number of airline passengers each year is expected to more than double by 2034. In this week’s news segment, we look into the future of the airline industry through a recent report by the International Air Transport Association. You’ll also read about China’s growing interest in luxury hotels and a new technology that could replace traditional boarding passes with a passenger’s fingerprints.

• The World of Aviation at Your fingertips

Air Charter Service, an aircraft charter provider, has released a new app offering detailed information on more than its 200 different aircraft types. The app features the company’s commercial aircrafts currently in service, including helicopters, piston aircrafts, turboprops, private jets, commercial airliners and cargo aircrafts. App users can view photos and detailed layouts of the interior of each aircraft including seating plans and cargo hold dimensions. They can also request a charter on any of the aviation’s through the app. (Travel Daily News)

• IATA: Global Air Passengers to More Than Double in 20 Years

The number of people traveling by plane each year is expected to more than double to 7.3 billion by 2034, according to a report by the International Air Transport Association. In its first 20-year passenger growth forecast, IATA also predicts that China will overtake the United States as the world’s largest passenger market in terms of passengers traveling to, from and within the country, by 2030. The Asia-Pacific is predicted to enjoy annual growth rates of 4.9 percent over the next 20 years and North America 3.3 percent. Europe, however, is set to have the slowest growth at 2.7 percent. (Reuters)

• Chinese Consumers’ Interest in Luxury Hotels Grows in 2014

Wealthy Chinese travelers have become a driving force in the luxury market this year, with online interest in upscale hotels growing 39% compared to last year. According to the World Luxury Index Hotels 2014, the increased interest among Chinese consumers can be attributed in part to the growing number of Western hotel brands opening outposts in second and third tier cities across the country. Meanwhile, Shangri-La is ranked the most popular brand in China and Singapore and the second-most popular in Taiwan. Overall, analysts suggest that the luxury market is bouncing back to a healthy recovery, as global consumer interest for the luxury hospitality industry is up nearly 8% over 2013. (Malay Mail Online)

• Alaska Airlines Experiments with Fingerprint Scanners

A fingerprint may someday be enough to board an airplane if Alaska Airlines can convince the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to approve its new biometric scanners. The company has installed the device in its private lounge at Sea-Tac Airport in Seattle, WA, to gauge the response by frequent flyers. Scanning digits could save time not just at passenger lounges but also bag drops and other airport checkpoints. However, the devices would have to be foolproof in order to be approved by the TSA, which right now requires passengers to carry driver licenses or other forms of identification. (KOMO News)

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