Consumers looking for a great location with a selection of restaurants, entertainment, and shopping on a Saturday night may soon find themselves heading to their local airports. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the number of air travelers is expected to double to a staggering 7.8 billion by 2038. So how will airports be able to accommodate this level of traffic without insane delays and hassles? Moreover, will airports of the future be able to capitalize on the increased traffic flow and transform itself into a destination of the future? Will nearby hotels with cityscape views be replaced with onsite hotels with direct views of the runway? According to experts who sat down with ExpertFlyer.com, the answer is a resounding yes.
According to Scott Amyx, thought leader and author on exponential technologies and the Fourth Industrial Revolution, there is a massive transformation forthcoming at airports. “Select airports will not only support international and domestic travel, but also interstellar travel. This is the mission of SpaceX to not only launch cargo, but also passengers. Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin and Branson’s Virgin Galactica are also developing consumer options in space travel.”
