Robots assist travelers at Incheon airport for smoother journeys

Home
»
Stories
»
2024
»
November

GLOBAL INDUSTRY NEWS

Global Industry News

Robots assist travelers at Incheon airport for smoother journeys

Policy

Jeannine Ashworth, Vice President – Airport Operations, MSP | Delta Air Lines

By Sky Industry News

Nov 18, 2024

Arriving at a large international airport can be challenging, especially in a foreign country. However, Delta customers at Incheon International Airport in Seoul may find their experience more manageable with the help of robots.

These robotic assistants guide passengers, transport luggage, and deliver food. They communicate in multiple languages, including Korean, English, Japanese, and Chinese.

The Airstar Robot serves as a guidance automation assistant using autonomous driving, voice recognition, and artificial intelligence. It directs passengers to the correct counter based on flight numbers and provides information about carry-on restrictions or duty-free shop locations. The robot also offers commemorative photo services via email or SMS.

Get the Newsletter

Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News

By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

In the duty-free area is the Air Porter Robot that scans boarding passes and assists with baggage by following customers or leading them to their destinations.

The Air Ride Robot is designed for transporting elderly or disabled passengers to their boarding gates using self-driving technology within the duty-free zone.

For food delivery needs inside the duty-free area, the Air Dilly Robot allows customers to order food and drinks directly to their location by scanning QR codes displayed on seats or guidebooks near boarding gates.

Incheon International Airport Corporation collaborates with Doosan Robotics to explore new technologies aimed at enhancing customer experiences further.

Delta Airlines connects over 2,000 passengers daily through Incheon alongside Korean Air. "Delta and Korean Air connect more than 2,000 passengers a day each way through Incheon to 80 destinations in Asia," said Jeff Moomaw, VP-APAC. "We continue to grow traffic through this premier connecting hub and offer a seamless, consistent and industry-leading customer experience."

Delta plans to expand its global reach by launching nonstop service from Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) to Seoul-Incheon International Airport (ICN) on June 12, 2025. This addition strengthens Delta's position as a significant long-haul foreign carrier at Incheon while providing extensive access across Asia compared to other trans-Pacific joint ventures.