Silent airports are springing up around the world — but are they more harm than good?

The airport departure lounge offers a comprehensive view of human life: from parents frantically scanning the aisles in Boots to groups of friends enjoying one too many pre-flight pints.

As travellers, we browse the shops and try to unwind, safe in the knowledge that speaker announcements will ensure we make it to the gate on time.

But what if those announcements never came?

At silent airports across the world, you won’t hear voices informing you of gate changes or calling you to board.

Instead, important information is communicated only via digital display screens, airport apps, and or text alerts. All of it, without a sound.

But does it increase the risk of missing flights?

How do silent airports work?

Designed to create a less overwhelming experience, silent airports are growing in popularity.

They rely on enhanced visual communication to give visitors the info they need to know, mostly on apps and phone screens.

The world’s first silent airport is Helsinki Airport in Finland. It adopted the policy to reduce the noise from PA systems.

While other airports, including Singapore Changi and London City, have followed suit, the Finnish capital was the first to do it.

We can see the appeal. Airports can be stressful and overstimulating – we’ve all been there, feeling like a tightly packed sardine, waiting for the moment when someone drags their suitcase over your foot.

According to AviaVox, a company specialising in automated passenger announcements, silent airports are designed to ‘calm the ambience, de-stress passengers and improve passenger flow’.

In fact, some travel experts believe that silent airports are more ‘efficient’ than traditional airports. But does the public agree?

Reddit user @tolbs02 posed this question two years ago to gauge people’s thoughts, and the response was overwhelmingly positive.

‘I love silent airports. The constant announcements at non-silent airports continuously distract me, and 99% of the time they’re not relevant to me,’ @fraying_carpet shared.

@funkytimes_07 noted: ‘As someone who has a history of TBI, I love silent airports and wish more would convert. Auditory sensory issues can be a huge part of TBI, and quiet airports are overall more inclusive for a wide variety of people with disabilities.’

However, @BrinaGu3 did share that while they were a fan of silent airport, an experience they’d had recently in Dubai did make them a little uncomfortable.

‘I stopped to use the toilet before going to the gate and got a phone call asking me to come to the gate. It was 30 minutes before boarding was scheduled to start. I think I would prefer an announcement to a phone call while using the toilet.’

Several people suggested that if silent airports had become so popular, surely it was only a matter of time before silent flights became a thing.

Could it be the future?