Airport kiosks have come a long way since the first ones that printed boarding passes. Even though mobile and digital check-in are mainstream now, kiosks aren’t going anywhere. In fact, recent regulatory changes, travel demand, and advancing tech are pushing kiosks into new territory. Kiosk Marketplace

Here are three major trends transforming airport kiosk deployment — and what businesses need to know to stay ahead.

1. Smarter Self-Service / Automation

Airports are using kiosks for more than printing boarding passes or bag tags. Automation is increasing to reduce staffing costs, improve flow, and enhance passenger experience. Kiosks are being deployed for:

• Passport scanning and identity verification

• Health documentation (especially relevant post-COVID)

• Contactless check-in and baggage drop

• More intuitive user interfaces (touchless prompts, gesture control, etc.) Kiosk Marketplace

These improvements help airports handle higher volumes of travelers more efficiently and with fewer bottlenecks.

2. Regulatory & Safety Driven Usage

New regulatory mandates are shaping how kiosks are used. For example:

• Enhanced security screening regulations are pushing airports to embed more robust identity and document checks.

• Health and safety regulations (e.g., proof of vaccination or negative tests) are prompting airports to add new services or document capture kiosks.

• Privacy and data handling regulations mean kiosks must be built with stronger authentication, encryption, and secure data storage. Kiosk Marketplace

Because of these external pressures, kiosk deployments are increasingly tied to compliance as much as convenience.

3. Integration of New Technologies & Data

Technology enhancements are changing what kiosks can do. Some of the innovations include:

• Better scan engines: faster, more reliable, able to read multiple types of codes (barcodes, QR codes, etc.).

• Biometric identification: facial recognition or fingerprint/iris-scanning for identity verification.

• Real-time analytics and feedback loops: kiosks that can monitor traffic, wait times, usage patterns, and adjust dynamically (e.g., reroute lines, adjust kiosk locations).

• Connectivity enhancements: kiosks linked into airport systems, airlines, security, customs, etc., so data flows seamlessly for smoother traveler experience. Kiosk Marketplace

Why This Matters

For airports, airlines, equipment providers, and travelers alike, these trends mean:

• Better throughput with fewer delays

• Lower operating costs via automation and fewer staffing needs

• Greater safety and regulatory compliance

• Enhanced passenger satisfaction — less friction, clearer information, faster service

What Companies Should Be Doing

If you’re in the business of making or deploying kiosks (or rely on them in airports/transport hubs), here are strategic steps to consider now:

1. Audit your hardware & software capabilities — do your kiosk units support current scan-technologies, biometric options, or updates required for regulatory compliance?

2. Plan for integration — kiosks should not be islands. They need to feed into broader IT systems (airline, security, customs, etc.). Make sure APIs and data flows are designed and secure.

3. User experience focus — simplify the UI, support touchless or low-touch interactions, think through accessibility (all users, all abilities).

4. Data & analytics readiness — measure usage, detect pain points, adapt. Use real usage data to inform where kiosks should be, how many are needed, and how they perform.

5. Compliance & security first — with identity, health, and data regulations tightening, ensure privacy, encryption, and secure authentication are baked in.

What’s Coming Next

• Greater use of biometrics in identity/health checks

• More seamless omnichannel interactions (pre-check in via phone, pick up service at kiosk, etc.)

• Increased AI and predictive modeling (anticipating passenger flow, adjusting kiosk availability dynamically)

• More sustainability features (energy-efficient hardware, greener materials)

At Dolphin Data Capture, better scanning, data accuracy, and seamless integration are core to what we do. These kiosk trends align closely with our strengths — whether it’s deploying advanced scanning hardware, ensuring high code readability, or helping clients integrate kiosk data flows securely and efficiently.

If you’re evaluating your kiosk strategy — or thinking of upgrading kiosks, deployment, or data accuracy — let’s talk about how to make those deployments more future-proof.