Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, UK – ELeather have returned from exhibiting at Passenger Terminal Expo in Stockholm, Sweden. The event was held at the Stockholmsmässan exhibition centre from the 20th to the 22nd March and brings together organisations from across the globe involved in passenger terminal interiors, from seating and contract upholstery to security.
With the number of air passengers expected to double over the next 20 years, it is no longer the aircraft carriers alone that need to address the changes in passenger’s expectation. PTE 2018 was a great opportunity for the ELeather team to network with key organizations within the passenger terminal industry, showcasing the benefits of leather fibre composite throughout the entire passenger journey.
According to IATA, the airline industry experienced a 12-year high in global passenger traffic growth (7.9%) in the first six months of 2017. As airports become busier, the way travelers use airport lounges and waiting areas is also changing.
Alexandra Bennett, Strategic Marketing Manager comments: “Airports are increasingly looking to their suppliers to help create great customer experiences for travellers, who’s expectations for premium, more convenient travel continue to grow, regardless of their chosen class of travel. Airport terminals and lounges are one way to help meet these needs by providing more relaxed, comfortable and practical locations to read a book, catch up on emails or join that lastminute call before departure.”
As PTE was a new show for ELeather, the stand drew a lot of attention from show delegates that were unfamiliar with leather fibre composite and the benefits of the eco-friendly material. Visitors to the stand were able to see a Zoeftig terminal seat, fully upholstered in ELeather along with various design and stitching examples that demonstrate the versatility of leather fibre composite as an airport seating upholstery material.
At Schiphol airport in the Netherlands, ELeather were selected as the preferred seating upholstery supplier based on the ability to offer comfort and luxury with the look and feel of a traditional leather, while taking into account the practical importance of a material that offers durability and ease of maintenance for areas where people traffic is on the increase.
Airport terminal design is evolving to address changing demands and as a result, the selection and design of seating arrangements is adapting. Introducing new seating layouts to meet the varying needs of a broader group of travellers has allowed designers and airports to innovate, bringing an enhanced experience for passengers, utilising eco-friendly, durable materials such as ELeather.