Air Travel

10 Simple Tips To Fly With Your Pet!

AirWhizzMay 25, 2018 No Comments

10 Simple Tips To Fly With Your Pet!

Travel Like a Pro

A few years back, travelling by air for a pet owner meant that they had to bid a painful farewell before going on a trip.

Today, that scenario has changed. Thanks to airlines and hotels becoming pet-friendly, you can now bring along your furry friends with you when you fly.

But you need to prepare yourself if you want to enjoy a hassle-free flight along with your pet.

We at AirWhizz have come up with a few simple tips you can follow the next time you decide to fly with your pet!

1.CHECK AIRLINE POLICY

Check whether your airline allows pets on board and if they do, carefully read the airline’s policy regarding travelling with them.

There are rules regarding the pet’s size and weight which you have to keep in mind.

So go through the guideline and restrictions mentioned in the airline’s policies multiple times before booking flight tickets.

In India,  Air India, Jet Airways, Spice Jet and Vistara allow you to carry pets on their flights.

2.BOOK EARLY

If the airline allows you to bring your pet along, you will have to book your flight tickets by directly calling the airline.

Also, airlines only allow limited pets on board.

So, the sooner you call them and book, the better. Also, it would be clever on your part to select a backup airline just in case the first option doesn’t work out.

3.VISIT THE VET

Now that you have selected the flight you and your pet will travel in, check whether your pet is fit for travel.

Consult your vet as to how you can keep your pet comfortable on the flight and whether they should be given a sedative.

Also, don’t forget to get the clearance certificate from the vet deeming them fit to fly and carry an up-to-date copy of the vaccinations that have been given to your pet.

4.GET A COMFORTABLE PET CARRIER

Buy an animal carrier which is comfortable for your pet and meets the criteria given by your airline.

A few weeks before your flight, take your pet out for car rides in their pet carrier. This will help them to get used to it and will be comfortable when they fly.

Also, attach an information label to the carrier with your personal details and the details of the destination you will be travelling to.

5.GIVE THEM SOME EXERCISE

Do everything you can to get them tired before getting on the airplane.

Take them for a long walk, play catch and spend time talking to them before leaving for the airport.

Get all that playful energy out and hopefully, they will be tired enough to sleep through the flight.

6.PACK YOUR PET’S TRAVEL ESSENTIALS

Pack your carry-on with things that are essential for your pet.

It’s important to make sure you have enough toys and treats to keep your pet occupied for a while during the flight.

If possible, carry a collapsible travel bowl inside of the carrier and place a few ice cubes in it on the flight.

Don’t be alarmed if your pet doesn’t play with his favourite toy. This could just be due to travel anxiety. Similar to how humans get butterflies when they lift off!

7.FEED YOUR PET

Feed your pet and make sure they are well hydrated before boarding the flight.

Many airlines suggest that your pet must be fed four hours before the flight’s scheduled departure so that they are comfortable on the flight.

Just make sure you don’t stuff your pet with food or give them too much water to drink. A pet with a full belly may vomit from anxiety and travel sickness.

8.ARRIVE EARLY AT THE AIRPORT

Once you’re set to go with your pet, make sure you reach the airport well in advance.

Pets need to go through additional security checks where they are weighed, measured and examined properly before boarding the flight.

Many airline policies state that the extra fee for carrying pets has to be paid at the airport and not during the booking.  Try to reach the airport as early as possible so all such formalities can be taken care of conveniently.

9.CONSIDER UPGRADING YOUR SEAT

If you want to travel comfortably on your flight, then you might want to consider upgrading your seat.

Your pet’s carrier will be eating up a lot of your seat’s leg room.

An upgrade would mean you will be able to stretch your legs comfortably and will get some extra space for your pet’s carrier.

10.EXAMINE YOUR PET UPON ARRIVAL

When you arrive at your destination, open the carrier as soon as you are in a safe place and examine your pet.

If something seems wrong, take your pet to the vet immediately. Don’t forget to get the results of the examination in writing with the date and time on it.

Follow these travel tips and make air travel simple for you and your pet. After all, your pet is also going on a trip!

If you want to know about your airline’s policies for carrying pets on flights, Simply download the AirWhizz app. Get all the information about your airline’s regulations regarding pets along with real-time flight updates on your phone itself and plan your trip on the move.

Bring your faithful companion along the next time you travel and Fly Stress-Free!

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New Air Passenger Charter Proposes Full Refund Upon Cancelling Tickets Within 24 Hours!

AirWhizzMay 23, 2018 No Comments

New Air Passenger Charter Proposes Full Refund Upon Cancelling Tickets Within 24 Hours!

Aviation Insider

For the convenience of air travellers in India, the Ministry of Civil Aviation on Tuesday published a draft of the passenger charter which say’s that travellers can cancel their flight ticket free of charge within 24 hours of booking it.

The new air passenger charter looks to amend the current provisions for charges incurred by travellers on cancellation and rescheduling of air tickets, amongst other proposed norms.

Here are the highlights of the proposed air passenger charter –

  • Passengers can cancel their tickets free of cost within 24 hours of booking it.
  • This rule will not apply if the tickets are booked less than 96 hours (4 days) before the scheduled departure time of the flight.
  • If a passenger misses their connecting flight due to a delay of more than 12 hours of the original flight, the airline has to compensate Rs 20000 to the passenger. If the delay is between 4 to 12 hours the airline has to compensate Rs 10000.
  • If the delay results in the flight departing the next day, then the airline will have to offer a free hotel stay.
  • These norms will be applicable only if the delay is due to the fault of the airline, and not if it is caused by bad weather.
  • If the airline informs about the delay more than 24 hours prior to the scheduled departure time and there is a delay of over 4 hours, the airline has to offer the passenger with option of a full refund.
  • If the passenger is informed about flight cancellation between two weeks to 24 hours of the scheduled departure time, the airline has to offer an alternative flight which is scheduled to fly within 2 hours of the originally scheduled departure time or refund the ticket.
  • Cancellation charges and rules have to be printed clearly on the ticket.
  • Under no circumstance can the airline or the travel agent charge more than the basic fare plus fuel surcharge on cancellation of tickets.
  • There will be no additional charges for correction of names on the tickets within 24 hours of booking the ticket.
  • The airline has to bear the cost of transferring the passenger to an alternate airport in case an alternate flight is offered which is scheduled to depart from a nearby airport.
  • In case a passenger is denied boarding, the airline has to pay Rs 5000 or more to compensate the passenger.
  • The airline has to have seats which are accessible to people with disabilities. They should have adequate leg space and remain blocked for special passengers, free of charge.
  • If the passenger does not receive their due compensation they can file a grievance on the AirSewa app or the DGCA’s grievance portal.

The charter has been published on ministry’s website for public consultation. The public has a 30-day window to put in their recommendations about the proposed charter.

The new norms are expected to be notified by July 15 after public comments on the proposed charter have been received by the Ministry of Civil Aviation.

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Flight Delays Expected At The Mumbai Airport Till 5th June 2018!

AirWhizzMay 22, 2018 No Comments

Flight Delays Expected At The Mumbai Airport Till 5th June 2018!

Aviation Insider

If you are planning to fly to/from the Mumbai Airport before 5th June, be prepared for your flight to get delayed.

Flights from the Chattrapati Shivaji International Airport in Mumbai might be delayed due to the upgradation work on the airport’s Instrumental Landing System (ILS).

The old ILS is being upgraded, for which the work started on 17th May and will continue till 5th June. Because of this, the system will be out of service from 11 a.m. To 11 p.m.

Here’s why the ILS is so important –

  • It is a ground-based navigational system which helps pilots to land. It gives guidance while landing and helps the pilots align the aircraft to the runway centreline.
  • With no ILS on Mumbai airports main runway ‘27’, the pilot has to slow down the aircraft earlier than usual while landing it.
  • Landing without the system’s guidance involves relying on the radar to look for the runway. This is known as “Non-Precision Approach”.
  • At the Mumbai airport, a pilot cannot continue to land below 1070 feet if they don’t spot the runway. This increases the chances of “go-around” and the pilot has to make another attempt to land the aircraft.
  • This can lead to air traffic congestion, as landing without the ILS takes more time.

On 18th May, the airport saw severe air traffic congestion with almost 230 arrival and 350 departure flights getting delayed for 40 to 60 minutes.

This forced officials to shift operations to the secondary runway ‘14’, which is shorter than the main runway and can handle only a few flights.

Airport officials also fear that due to weather conditions the visibility might fall below 1200 meters and the airport might have to shut operations. They have been coordinating with the meteorological department to keep a track of the weather conditions. As of now, chances of poor visibility are less for the next 20 days.

Jet Airways and Vistara have informed their guests about the situation via Twitter and have asked them to check their flight status before leaving for the airport.

If you want to know whether your flight has been delayed at the Mumbai airport, look no further. Simply download the AirWhizz App to get real-time flight updates via push notification on your phone and Fly Stress-Free!

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Why Airport Security Is So Important!

AirWhizzMay 21, 2018 No Comments

Why Airport Security Is So Important!

Aviation Insider

Airport security has evolved with time. Before 1960’s, airport security wasn’t a big issue and was not that strict.

But a series of high jacking and terrorist attacks that took place eventually changed the entire airline security industry. These incidents led to the creation of the modern airport security system.

We have often seen how people get angry and agitated during security checks. But it is a necessary measure which must be taken to avoid incidents that can cause you harm.

Here are the reasons why airport security is so Important!

1.PROTECTION AGAINST TERRORISTS

High jackings of various airplanes in the 1960s and 1970s led to the system of screening, ticketing and monitoring procedures, which were followed till 2001.

However, all this changed after the 9/11 incident. It was a wake-up call for authorities who had become complacent with airport security.

New security measures have been developed to stop more elaborate and intelligently planned actions by terrorists.

Things are different now. It is difficult to get through airport security even with a bottle of water. These tough security measures have helped airlines avoid potential terrorist threats.

2.FIGHT AGAINST NARCOTICS

Drugs trafficking went up very quickly once smugglers started using airplanes. Drug lords like Pablo Escobar and others made billions using the flying routes to transport drugs.

This had a negative effect on the aviation industry, affected the society and disrupted the economy countries where drug trafficking was prominent.

Even today we see reports of people coming up with new ways to traffic drugs on airplanes, but modern day airport security measures have helped to catch the people responsible.

3.PREVENT SMUGGLING

Apart from drugs, airport security has been trained to detect different products that are transported illegally across borders on airplanes.

People in the past have tried to carry things like gold, stolen antiques and in some cases, rare and exotic animals in carry-on bags, but airport security has been successful in stopping such practices.

4.CYBER-SECURITY

Airport security doesn’t only involve security checks before boarding a flight.

Hackers are coming up with new and sophisticated ways to attack aviation network computers, Air Traffic Control systems and gain unauthorised access to airport and airline databases.

With the aviation industry becoming heavily dependent on digital technology, cyber-security has become a serious and urgent concern.

Authorities and Airlines are investing heavily in cyber-security and have been able to tackle cyber threats which can cause heavy financial losses and disrupt the air transportation network.

5.PROTECTS PASSENGERS INSIDE AIRPORT

With mass shooting incidences on the rise, airport security keeps passengers protected inside the airport.

If there was no airport security, the airport would be left vulnerable to surprise attacks from terrorists and criminals.

Security measures taken at the airport, discourage criminals from committing such crimes. CISF (Central Industrial Security Force) is a paramilitary organization that looks after the airport security in India.

With the advancement in technology, airports are now taking the help of modern tools and machines to tackle potential threats to the flyers and make air travel safer. Here are a few examples of these modern machines!

1.A.I.T SCANNERS

Since its introduction in 2007, Advanced Imaging Technology(AIT) scanners have replaced manual checking at many airports.

These scanners help the security personnel detect any concealed (purposely or not) metal, plastics, ceramics, chemical materials and explosives with the help of 3-dimensional images created by the machine after scanning the passenger.

2.BIOMETRIC SYSTEM

The Biometric Boarding System has had a positive effect on an airport’s security all around the world.

Biometric scanners at airports help security identify the passenger and get their information which is present in the government’s database.

This helps the security personnel to determine whether the passenger is a potential threat or not.

3.MRI LUGGAGE SCANNERS

These scanners are similar to MRI scanners present at the hospital.

They help airport security detect liquids and prohibited items in checked-in luggage.

They are currently being used at airports around the world such as London’s Luton Airport and Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam.

4.CYBER-SECURITY SOLUTIONS

With airports adopting smart technology, aviation cyber-security solutions are being set up.

This software protects aviation networks, computers, and databases from cyber-attacks and unauthorised access.

Due to globalization, airlines are expanding their operations worldwide and are not limited to the country of origin. That is why advanced cyber-security solutions have become a prominent tool for maintaining security.

Airport security is important because it keeps the passenger at ease while flying. It assures that the airplane will make it to the destination safely and the person sitting beside has been deemed as a safe flyer.

If you want to know about your airline’s security policy and location of security checkpoints within the airport, look no further. Simply download the AirWhizz app and get all the information you need about airport security on your phone itself.

Have a safe journey and Fly Stress-Free!

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UDAN Boosts Connectivity In 25 Tier II & Tier III Cities Within 13 Months!

AirWhizzMay 21, 2018 No Comments

UDAN Boosts Connectivity In 25 Tier II & Tier III Cities Within 13 Months!

Aviation Insider

A few Months back Sikkim was the only state in the country to not have an airport. However, After 13 months there is finally India’s 100th airport in the Pakyong district which is about 35 Kilometres away from Gangtok, Sikkim. This has been made possible by government’s UDAN (Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik) Scheme.

The UDAN Scheme, also known as Regional Connectivity Scheme(RCS), was implemented by the government in April 2017 to boost regional connectivity and make air travel affordable In India.

Before the scheme was implemented the country had 75 airports, however within 13 months, 25 new airports have been added to the network.

Here’s how the regional air connectivity has improved under the UDAN scheme –

  • The airports in Pathankot (which was not operational for 7 years) and Adampur district in Punjab have been made operational under the scheme.
  • The airstrips in Vijaynagar in Karnataka and Rourkela in Odisha, which were being used by corporates for business purposes, have now been opened for general public.
  • The Hubli Airport in Karnataka saw its first commercial flight at the start of this month.
  • Airports have opened up in districts like Kadapa (Andhra Pradesh), Kandla(Gujrat), Nanded(Maharashtra), Ozar (Nashik), Porbandar(Gujrat), Jalgaon(Maharashtra) and Mundra(Gujrat).
  • States like Pondicherry and Daman & Diu have also seen airports being opened up for the public.
  • Under RCS, the price of an air ticket for a one hour journey on a fixed-wing airplane is just Rs 2500.
  • Regional airlines such as Air Deccan and Air Odisha have also started on routes under The UDAN scheme.

According to Mr. Ajay Singh, SpiceJet’s MD & Chairman, the air traffic on regional routes has increased significantly. There is an occupancy of over 90% on SpiceJet flights on routes under the UDAN scheme.

Airlines in India served 11.7 crore passengers in 2017 and the industry saw a growth rate of 17.3%. This year on year growth has made India the fastest growing domestic aviation market in the world.

To cater to the high demand and improve air travel connectivity, it is important to build airports in districts other than metro cities, which has been made possible under the UDAN Scheme. RCS will also play a major part in making air travel more accessible and affordable for people in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities in the near future.

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Over 100 Passengers Lost Their Lives After Airplane Crash Near Havana Airport!

AirWhizzMay 19, 2018 No Comments

A Boeing 737 airplane which belonged to Cuba’s National Airline, Cubana De Aviacion, crashed on Friday morning near the Jose Martin International Airport in Havana, taking the lives of more than 110 people onboard.

Here are the details of the incident –

  • Cubana de Aviacion flight CU972 was to depart from Havana at 11 a.m. and reach Holguin at around 12:20 p.m.
  • Shortly after take-off, the plane crashed between the Jose Martin International Airport and Santiago de Las Vegas which is near Havana.
  • The Airplane had 114 people, including the crew, onboard when the unfortunate incident happened.
  • Almost all the passengers were Cuban except 5 passengers and the crew, who were all foreign nationals.
  • According to the reports, the aircraft started losing height shortly after take-off and crashed into the woodlands near the airport.
  • Only 4 passengers, all women, survived the crash, however, one woman lost her life shortly after reaching the hospital. The other 3 women were in critical condition but are out of danger for now.
  • The Cubana aircraft was leased from a Mexican airline, Aerolineas Damojh.
  • Authorities believe that the airplane crashed because it was an old aircraft. The Boeing 737 was built in 1979, making it around 39 years old.
  • It was first flown by the US airline, Piedmont, in 1979, and had flown for many other carriers over the years.

According to witnesses present in the area during the incident, they heard a huge explosion and saw a huge cloud of smoke go up.

Firefighters rushed to crash site to put out the fire. Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel visited the crash site as soon as the incident was reported. A large number of ambulances and medical workers were deployed immediately.

Cubana de Aviacion has been removing old airplanes from its fleet in recent months because of mechanical problems however they have been heavily criticized due to frequent flight delays and cancellations.

Cuba had a record of no airplane crashes for 18 years however over the past 3 years the island country has seen 4 fatal airplane accidents.

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10 Types Of People You Meet On An Airplane!

AirWhizzMay 18, 2018 No Comments

10 Types Of People You Meet On An Airplane!

Aviation Insider

We’ve all taken flights with crying babies in the background, noisy passengers, inquisitive but well-meaning old ladies and even that someone cute who comes and sits on the seat next to you.

Whether it’s the first time you’re flying or the hundredth, you’ve probably had seatmates who either make your flight feel like a breeze or just ruin it.

From honeymooners to serious business travellers, here’s a look at the kind of flyers who might sit with you on your next flight.

1.THE CHATTERBOX

If you are welcomed by warm smiles from your seatmate who is very eager to help you place your bag in the overhead bin, Congratulations!

You just found a person who loves to make friends when they fly.

Be ready to be bombarded with questions about your life and hear stories about their fun and exciting times. They mean no harm and are just being friendly.

The only problem is, if you were planning on getting some sleep on the flight or work on that presentation of yours, you can forget about it!

2.THE NERVOUS FLYER

This person will let out an uncomfortable sigh every time they feel a bump while flying.

They fumble with their seatbelts and have a nervous look on their face throughout the flight. Just pray that your flight does not hit turbulence.

These types of flyers may be nervous because they might be afraid of heights or may be flying for the first time.

But remember to cut them some slack! Be a good person and help them or at the least don’t be annoyed at their behaviour no matter how irrational it may seem. Think about your own fears and phobias and show them some understanding.

3.THE LOVEBIRDS

Whether it’s a newly married couple or just two teenagers in love! You’ve probably seen them on your flight at least once.

They spend their entire journey whispering into each other’s ears, cuddling up as if both their airplanes seats have merged and take selfies whenever they get a chance.

But this just might work in your favour. They will be so busy cosying up to each other that they will not care who is sitting beside them and you might get some alone time with some extra space in the row.

And after all there’s nothing wrong with two people expressing their love as long as they don’t do anything inappropriate. Give them their space and don’t be a cynic!

4.THE COMPLAINER

You saw this person giving the poor attendant an earful at the check-in counter about how the flight was delayed by 15 mins.

You hope that this person does not sit with you but alas! There they are, sitting all grumpy in the adjacent seat!

They will complain about how bland the food is, the lack of leg room and how other airlines are better than the one you and “they” are flying in.

The only thing you can do here is smile, plug in your earphones and put your music on max volume.

5.THE BUSINESS TRAVELLER

You will be amazed by how much a tray table on the flight can hold when you sit beside this person.

A laptop, two cell phones, cups of coffee and a huge pile of papers usually accompany this traveller.

Forget about talking, they are so caught up in that excel sheet that they don’t even have the time to look at who’s sitting beside them.

They basically want to be left alone to do their work, so you can go ahead and catch up on some sleep or do whatever else you like.

6.THE BACKPACKER

You can just look at this person and tell they’re off on an adventure.

They usually travel alone and are accompanied by their backpack and a lot of energy and excitement.

You will feel like talking to them, asking them where they have been with that rugged backpack and where they’re going. They may have a lot of interesting stories but that doesn’t mean they want to share them with a stranger on an airplane.

But, if they do answer those questions, get ready to hear about some amazing adventures.

7.THE FOODIE

A lot of people like to bring their own food on the flight because let’s face it, airplane food does taste bland!

The only problem with that is, some flyers tend to be inconsiderate and bring food that can make the whole cabin smell strongly.

You can just hope that they finish and pack up their food as soon as possible and wait for that lingering smell to go away.

8.THE TODDLER

Kids on a flight are a bit difficult, they may cry or run in the aisles or need frequent visits to the restrooms.

At some point, we all have been on an airplane with young children or babies on board.

They are usually accompanied by their tired looking parents who can’t take a wink during the whole journey and are constantly trying to get their kid to calm down.

And while it may be annoying, imagine what they’re going through. If it bothers you, carry noise-cancelling headphones, speak to the parents or guardian politely and request them to keep it down and make the most of it.

9.THE OBLIVIOUS TRAVELLER

This can be the worst type to end up with.

They have no regard for personal space and sit as if they are relaxing on their personal sofa.

They spread their legs while sitting and take up most of the armrest. The worst part of sitting beside this person, they will also use your shoulder as their pillow. Honestly, they may not even realise that their behaviour is offensive.

And while you would probably be more comfortable sitting in the overhead bin than sitting beside this flyer, you should request them politely to make space and if needed ask the cabin crew for assistance.

10 THE PERFECT PASSENGER

They are interesting to talk to, polite and make you wish the flight never lands.

People say that such passengers don’t exist but that’s not true. However, the chances of you sitting beside this flyer are pretty rare!

It’s your lucky day if this passenger sits beside you because they make the flight pleasant and before you know it you’ve made a friend.

If you encounter such a person sitting next to you, thank your stars and enjoy your flight.

So always be prepared for any type of passenger might encounter and always try and be polite when dealing with them. Also, which one are you?

Note: If you enjoyed this article and want to Fly Stress-Free, download the AirWhizz app and get Live Flight Updates, Airport Info, Discounts & Offers For Your Trip & Much More!

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10 Ways In Which Airports Make You Shop At Duty-Free!

AirWhizzMay 14, 2018 No Comments

10 Ways In Which Airports Make You Shop At Duty-Free!

Aviation Insider

Whether you are flying for the first time or are a frequent flyer, waiting for your flight at the airport can be an exhausting and boring task.

It is during this time, that people tend to explore the airport and go shopping at duty-free shops.

To cash in on such travellers, airports are carefully designed to influence you to go and spend your money at these shops.

Yes! It’s true.

Here are the different ways in which airports influence you to shop when you fly.

1.SHOPPING ZONES AFTER AIRPORT SECURITY

Many people don’t observe this, but you are allowed into airport shopping areas only when you clear the security check.

Travellers are generally relaxed after clearing security. Airports use this to their advantage by locating duty-free shopping zones right after security booths.

You are more likely to indulge yourself into some care-free shopping after the stressful process of waiting in the security line, removing your belt or jacket and being physically searched by a serious looking security personnel.

2.SHOPPING ZONES BEFORE THE BOARDING GATES

Ever noticed the number of duty-free shops you pass by before boarding a flight?

To encourage people to explore what the airport has to offer, terminal buildings are designed in such a way that you have to walk through the shopping area before boarding the airplane.

3.LEFT CURVING WALKWAYS

The next time you travel to the airport, notice how walkways are curved towards the left in duty-free shopping zones.

According to a research conducted by analytics firm Intervistas, most of the passengers at the airport are right handed and tend to look towards the right side while pulling their suitcases with that hand.

That is why walkways curve towards left and most duty-free shops are located on the right side of the walkway.

4.THE “GOLDEN HOUR” CONCEPT

‘Golden Hour’ is a common term used by airport officials and duty-free retailers.

It is the time passengers spend idling around after clearing security and before boarding the flight.

Airports want to increase the time you spend in the golden hour because the more time you spend waiting for your flight, the chances of you spending will increase.

Airports have streamlined security checks for this reason as well. They want you to spend less time at security checks and more time shopping at duty-free.

5.RELAXATION AREAS AT THE AIRPORT

The more you are relaxed the more you tend to spend!

Airports around the world offer facilities like sleeping pods, showers and massage chairs to make the passenger feel relaxed.

They want to create a stress-free environment for you to spend money buying gifts for your family and friends.

According to a DKMA research, relaxed travellers at the airport spend 7% more on retail and 10% more on duty-free items as compared to travellers who are not relaxed.

6.PROVIDING INFORMATION WHEREVER POSSIBLE

If you go to an airport, you will see enough signs and screens which make the boarding process simple for you.

By providing information to you, the airport makes sure that you have a stress-free journey through it. By doing this they usually succeed in keeping you relaxed when you reach the shopping area.

At many airports, there are signs at shopping areas which show the amount of time the passenger will take to reach the boarding gate rather than the distance in meters. They do this so that passengers know how much they can spend shopping before boarding the flight.

7.SHOP DESIGN

At most airports, duty-free shops are located near big windows to allow natural light inside the store.

This is because people are inclined to shop at stores which have natural light rather than artificial lights.

Also, airports shops are designed to be user-friendly and inviting. They have wide aisles to accommodate people with suitcases and have pyramid shaped shelves which give you a sense of space and a better view of the products displayed.

8.SHOPPING ZONE LAYOUT

According to a study conducted by IKEA, the priorities of a passenger shopping at the airport is topped by duty-free goods, followed by food and drink, newspapers/magazines and gifts and specialty items.

Many airports around the world have designed their shopping zones in the form of a ‘Serpent’, strategically locating shops and restaurants to cater to these priorities.

Also, this kind of layout allows passengers better visibility of the services available for them in the area. The more twists and turns, the better.

9.FEELING OF A MARKETPLACE

Airports try to recreate the feel of a vibrant marketplace near duty-free shopping zones to make it more appealing to passengers.

Shops are often clustered and display local products, live music and art performances are regularly held and other fun activities are conducted to engage the passenger and give them a feel of a local market at the airport.

10. KIND OF SERVICES OFFERED

To quicken the buying process, airports choose the kind of service and products they have to offer depending on how busy the airport is and what kind of travellers it receives.

At an airport which is busy, services and products which can be sold quickly are generally offered to the passengers.

Also if the airports receive more passengers from countries which are developed or have a culture of gifting, the level of product and services offered goes up.

If you want to know more about ‘Duty-Free’ shops at your airport, simply download the AirWhizz App. Get information about places to shop and other services available to you at the airport on the move.

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