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Editor’s Note: While SimpliFlying’s aviation marketing thought leadership goes far and wide, we know there is more great content beyond our borders. SimpliRecap is a feature that ensures that our readers don’t miss the latest in airline and airport marketing. This week’s selection is from the world of airport marketing. Find our previous editions here.
An epic rant about Düsseldorf Airport WiFi by Someone who Matters
Neelie Kroes is the European Commissioner for Digital Agenda. So when she’s angry about WiFi at an airport, you know it matters. In a big way. Here’s a summary of what happened:
She first tweeted this:
In #Dusseldorf airport: they charge for #WiFi – it is thievery! We pay huge charges to use airports, people expect connectivity in 2014!
— Neelie Kroes (@NeelieKroesEU) March 26, 2014
This has been retweeted 834 times at the time of writing, and covered by The Local and Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger.
She then follows it up with an effort to crowdsource good and bad experience:
Tell me: which airports are the best for free #WiFi ? (I will recognise them and push the others, especially in #EU , to copy them)
— Neelie Kroes (@NeelieKroesEU) March 28, 2014
Also please tell me the WORST airports for #WiFi access … rip-off prices especially, but also demands for personal data & bad quality.
— Neelie Kroes (@NeelieKroesEU) March 28, 2014
Read more here.
How Can Chinese Social Media Elevate Airports?
Creating a social media marketing plan that includes Sina Weibo and Tencent’s WeChat, among other platforms, and using digital marketing to reach this massive market will be critical for airports looking to make strides in attracting Chinese passengers. Airports that become “China Friendly” can expect to see an increase in traffic from mainland China and in turn see increased revenue from these connected Chinese travelers.
Read the complete analysis on AviationPros.com.
Airport personal shoppers help goose layover spending
London’s Heathrow Airport, with annual net sales of over $2.3 billion, believes both types of traveler can benefit from the services of a personal shopper. It offers such a service free, with no minimum spending requirement.
Travelers may request a personal shopper when they arrive at the airport, or book one in advance and send details about items of interest, preferences, the time they have on the ground, favorite brands and a shopping budget.
Read the entire article at NBC News.
Christchurch Airport Engages with Chinese Travelers using Sina Weibo
According to Matthew Findlay, Christchurch Airport’s General Manager Aeronautical Business Development, this partnership offers up the Airport a great platform to promote travel to the region and more broadly the country. “Our reach in China through a social marketing program will ensure we have a digital voice among the estimated 87 million outbound Chinese travelers. Additionally, China has 618 million internet users where almost 95% of these people have social media accounts.
More on the initiative here.