It doesn’t take a commercial genius to work out that air passengers need mobile data for their destination when traveling abroad. Hence, in the world of aviation ancillaries, eSIMs are the ultimate no-brainer.
And given it’s now so logical and so easy to offer mobile data plans anywhere, it’s no surprise that airlines and airports are flocking to the opportunity.
eSIMs are game changing, not just money making
Selling passengers a mobile data plan for their next trip – in the form of a travel eSIM – is a lucrative ancillary opportunity that taps into an urgent and growing need. The potential is huge and we estimate around 3 billion international air passenger journeys will be made in 2025 by people carrying eSIM-compatible smartphones and tablets.
However, banking all the commercial benefits on offer means looking at this with a wider lens, particularly in terms of gaining trust, loyalty and becoming stickier with passengers.
For instance, more airlines and airports understand how offering travel eSIMs positions them as a customer champion, shielding passengers from the exorbitant (some might say, exploitative) charges often levied by providers of traditional data roaming. Crucially, they appreciate that digital mobile data connectivity is more than just a product to sell – it sets up a direct one-to-one communications channel with potentially millions of individual passengers.
Increase loyalty, wallet share and service personalization with eSIM mobile data
Think you’ve got enough ancillaries already? Think again, because with eSIM you achieve so much more than extra revenue: you make connections.
By unlocking the very product your customers need, and offering it in the right way, you could convert many other commercial objectives.
Enhance loyalty programs
Airline loyalty programs constantly need to reinvent themselves to remain relevant, but face the perennial challenge of providing desirable and attainable rewards. eSIM mobile data plans fit the bill as ideal micro-redemption alternatives to flight tickets. We’re also seeing the use of free eSIMs as incentives to encourage account registrations, or to add value to premium subscription tiers.
Learn more about passengers to serve them better
Airlines have become data-driven businesses, but airports traditionally know little about transiting passengers other than (perhaps) their parking preferences. With so much retail and other services to offer, eSIM-related data insights could potentially prove very valuable depending on the deployment model. eSIM connectivity can also help enhance existing digital touchpoints and journeys to maximize the passenger experience, even after they’ve arrived at their destination.
Extend relevance beyond your route map
Travel eSIMs have the game-changing ability to let airlines sell mobile data to repeat passengers who aren’t flying with them this time, or are heading to a destination the airline doesn’t serve. The same is true of onward destinations served via major hubs.
Keep passengers connected to digital assets
Airlines are constantly refining their digital customer journeys, whether via dedicated apps or the general online experience. But what use are these if your customers aren’t connected? Selling reliable mobile data makes your digital assets more available, and passengers more reachable. A great platform for spreading customer delight and extending the brand experience.
A game changer for disruption management?
Flight disruption is a loyalty killer and harms your reputation. So why not give eSIMs to stranded passengers so they can stay connected, keep themselves entertained and contact loved ones?
3 steps to moving fast on eSIM mobile data
- Research the eSIM provider market for those, like eSIM Go, with a track record in the aviation sector. Evaluate product quality, pricing competitiveness, ease of integration with your existing digital customer journeys, and how they intend to continually support your commercial goals.
- Consider your objectives, whether you’re only interested in ancillary revenue or seek deeper strategic value. Identify what’s achievable with the approaches available e.g. is there a simple turnkey solution that won’t consume any internal technical resources or risk disrupting passengers’ experience of your brand? (for the answer – find out what eSIM Go delivered for Lufthansa Group, Wizz Air, Fraport Group, Icelandair and others!)
- Launch with a go-to-market plan based on proven experience of how to be successful. Partnering with an eSIM provider that’s an expert in both aviation and the mobile telco world will optimize your sales and marketing approach, ensuring you hit ambitious revenue targets and fulfill wider commercial opportunities.
Article by eSIM Go
eSIM Go is exhibiting as a Silver Sponsor at WAF Amsterdam (stand 1.422). Drop by to discuss your eSIM mobile data opportunity or find us at www.esimgo.com.
