Get check-in reminders, buy travel insurance with SATS’ new worldwide travel app

SINGAPORE — SATS announced on Friday (Aug 11) the launch of a travel concierge on a mobile app targeting the fast-growing millennial traveller segment in Asia, as the airport services and inflight catering company ups the ante on digitally connecting passengers at airports where it operates and markets its own suite of services, such as airport lounges.

Besides prompting vital travel information such as trip reminders, travel time to the airport, check-in time, boarding gate time, passport renewal, and visa applications, the “Ready to Travel” app allows users to directly buy travel insurance and even book from a selection of more than 10,000 overseas attractions to create a travel itinerary and even share it with friends.

Singaporeans can also eRegister with the Republic’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) using the app, which will then prompt travel notices and advisories specific to their countries of destination. It also allows users to purchase pocket WiFi services with connectivity extending to 50 countries and have the devices delivered to their homes prior to their trips.

To be available for download on Android or iOS devices in Singapore, Australia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines, the app is the first of its kind initiated by a ground handler, integrating the physical and digital aspects of the customer experience. “It is an important step in the digital future of ground handling," SATS said. The launch was announced at the NATAS Fair on Friday.

(Real-time notifications in SATS' new app. Photo: Ready To Travel)

For now, the app’s unique feature — allowing the user to navigate through the airport with real-time point-to-point directional information, will be available for users at four airports including Singapore Changi Airport, Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport, Tokyo Narita Airport and Hong Kong Chek Lap Kok Airport. SATS’ president and chief executive Mr Alex Hungate said the company will be connecting more airports in the coming months through this app. The Singapore-listed company operates in 47 airports across 14 countries in Asia and the Middle East.

“We have more touch points with passengers than any other airport and we realise that much of the passengers’ journey is becoming digital. To become the ground handler of the future we thought we needed to invest in the digital touch points to complement the physical touch points that we manage for passengers. Our goal is to seamlessly combine the digital and physical aspects of the customer journey and assist passengers on their travel across Asia,” said Mr Hungate.

To attract millennial travellers with a comprehensive range of offers including gastronomical adventure, luxury travel besides other experiences SATS said it has been working with tourism boards, travel agencies as well as travel bloggers. For travel insurance offerings, it has tied up with AXA Insurance.

“Through our partnership with SATS, we are setting a new standard in the digital insurance space, delivering insurance coverage seamlessly so millennial travellers can focus on what matters most to them — their trip experience,” said Mr Leo Costes, managing director, General Insurance at AXA Insurance.