Inside ‘silent airports’: Why passengers are missing flights

For some, it’s the only thing that gets them on their flight – but as airports change their rules, more passengers are missing key announcements.

Josie Klein and The Sun

2 min read

December 7, 2021 - 2:27PM

More people are missing their flights as airports go silent. Picture: iStock

Airports are usually bustling with noisy announcements telling passengers what gate to go to and when boarding is due to start.

But now many airports are quieting speaker systems, in a bid to become “silent airports” – and it’s causing some people to miss their flights, The Sun reported.

Silent airports are those that are trying to cut down on the amount of background noise in terminals.

London City and Bristol airports, both in the UK, are among a handful of airports worldwide that have stopped making announcements over the speakers to reduce noise.

The only exception is in emergencies, when children have been lost or found, and some flight delays.

Angela Gittens, director general of Airports Council International (ACI), said many airports were trialling the silence to keep passengers calm while travelling.

“Passengers can wind down while they wait for their flight to board in the common airside lounges, commercial, and food and beverage areas,” she told CNN Travel.

People are missing their flights more because of the change. Picture: iStock

But there are no final calls and no call-outs for late passengers, which has caused some passengers to miss their flights.

One such passenger was Patrick Bury, who was left behind by his Ryanair flight from Bristol to Dublin.

“A priority boarding announcement was made and I then expected to hear a main boarding call and final call,” he told Wales Air Forum.

“About five minutes later I went to check again and the gate door was locked.

“Two employees admitted there were inconsistencies with the system of boarding announcements and said I should complain.”

Mr Bury’s complaint was rejected by staff at Bristol Airport who said that he should have checked the information screens. He had to pay £110 ($A207) for replacement flights.

Many appreciate the silent airports though, with passengers taking to Twitter to praise them.

“I really like the ‘silent airport’ concept. The Dubai terminal is amazingly quiet and pleasant,” one person wrote.

“Boarding announcements turn into chaotic background noise that is tuned out. Keep up with your boarding time. Check the screens for updates. Be ready to board.”

A number of airports have gone ‘silent’.

Another agreed the silent airport concept was one for the future.

“Bergen Airport is a self-described ‘silent airport’ – there is no piped muzak anywhere, and no cacophony of announcements over the tannoy,” they wrote.

“All info on screens. The effect is absolutely remarkable – it’s busy but perfectly pleasant to be in. Wish others would follow suit!”

Others found it much funnier, with one man joking on social media: “In Mumbai airport, they ring a bell before they announce (even though it’s a silent airport), but the bell sounds [the] same as undertaker’s entry music,” he said. “Now every time they ring the bell, I feel like the undertaker is coming.”

Where are the world’s silent airports?

• Amsterdam Schiphol, The Netherlands

• Barcelona El Prat Airport, Spain

• Bristol Airport, United Kingdom

• Cape Town International Airport, South Africa

• Delhi Airport, India

• Dubai International Airport, United Arab Emirates

• Cancún International Airport, Mexico

• Chennai Airport, India

• Eindhoven Airport, Germany

• Helsinki Airport, Finland

• Kempegowda International Airport, Bangalore, India