HANOVER TOWNSHIP, LEHIGH COUNTY, Pa. — When people go to an airport, they ask three questions, according to Colin Riccobon, director of public and government relations at Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority.
"Is my flight on time? Is there a place to park? And how long is the line at TSA?"
- Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority has redesigned its website, www.FlyABE.com
- It's now easier to navigate on your phone
- The homepage now has real-time information about parking and TSA wait times
Now those answers will be a little easier to find, thanks to a redesign of Lehigh Valley International Airport's website which emphasizes real-time information you can get on your phone.
The project started in early 2022. The airport partnered with Peer Pressure Creative, held an internal evaluation and solicited feedback from passengers to come up with the new design.
The verdict? Air travelers wanted more information in fewer clicks. And the new homepage delivers that, according to LVIA.
"The former website served its purpose," Riccobon said. "But this website really enhances the customer experience."
'A travel toolbox'
Last May, the airport authority installed a technology system called Veovo, which uses 3D cameras and cloud analytics software to predict TSA wait times.
"Being able to tie that into the website externally is something that we felt was important," Riccobon said. "If you go to the homepage, all that information is right in front of you."
A feature that carried over from the old website is a translation service, which offers different languages. There's also a program called ABE Advantage, with which people can requestion accommodations for special needs, such as wheelchairs, among other things.
“It’s a travel toolbox that’s invaluable for anyone choosing your neighborhood airport.”Thomas R. Stoudt, executive director of the Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority
“It’s a travel toolbox that’s invaluable for anyone choosing your neighborhood airport,” airport authority Executive Director Thomas R. Stoudt said.
Growing passenger ridership
Officials said one reason LVIA decided to relaunch the website is because of its growing passenger ridership.
The airport said they recovered from the coronavirus pandemic shutdown sooner than industry forecasts had predicted.
Passenger traffic increased 21.2% from 2021 to 2022, with 912,256 passengers traveling through ABE.
Last year, the number of travelers surpassed pre-pandemic levels. Data shows 911,970 passengers passed through the airport in 2019.
"Travel can be overwhelming for people," Riccobon said. He said he wants the new website to put them at ease and make getting the information they need less stressful.
"That certainly was our end goal."
The full list of changes to the website includes:
- Easy access to flight information, TSA security checkpoint wait times, and public parking lot availability
- More real-time travel information
- Improved navigation
- Mobile-friendly
- Enhanced travel calculator for comparing ABE trip costs vs. other airports
- Integration of social media