Abstract
PurposeFollowing the COVID-19 pandemic, airports have begun implementing more digital technologies. While these technologies can enhance the airport experience for passengers on the autism spectrum, this population tends to be studied as a single segment. However, people on the autism spectrum have different preferences, skills and abilities and levels of acceptance of digital technologies. We aim to explore the acceptance of recently implemented digital technologies, self-service kiosks and other digital technologies such as biometric facial recognition in the airport environment among passengers on the autism spectrum, who are not a single segment.Design/methodology/approachWe carried out an academic-industry collaboration project in 2022 at Barcelona’s Josep Tarradellas Airport with the Spanish airport operator Aena, Vueling Airlines, three associations representing people on the autism spectrum (stakeholders) and 60 participants on the autism spectrum recruited by the three associations. Interviews were conducted during the airport visits to compare airport experiences: Group 1 provided input on the traditional airport experience using manual or analogue processes, and Group 2 provided feedback on the airport experience using digital technologies.FindingsThe use of cluster analysis revealed three distinct segments: traditional, automated with assistance from others and digital. Our findings provide airports with insights into recently implemented digital technologies at airports for passengers on the autism spectrum.OriginalityThis article brings new knowledge about passengers on the autism spectrum and their relationship with digital technologies in the airport environment, a topic that has not been previously studied.