A smoother, less stressful airport process might be within reach thanks to technology developed by SITA Lab and Orange Business Services.
SITA's research arm has been working on a SIM-based concept using near field communication technology or NFC, which could open up security, airline lounges and boarding gates just by tapping your mobile device to a scanner.
The SIM-based development supports the GSM Association's standard on NFC which uses the SIM as the secure element enabling the technology to be widely adopted regardless of device or operator.
This approach is also said to be backed by 45 mobile operators which cover more than 60% of the mobile phone market.
According to SITA, the NFC technology will help increase the share of mobile boarding passes from between 2 and 3% in 2011 to between 50 and 80% by 2018.
A recent report from Amadeus and the Futures Company showed some of the ways technology would improve our travel experience going forward.
Here's a clip from SITA showing explaining the development.
NB: Image via Shutterstock