Athens Airport’s ‘Philos’ Assistant Goes Digital

Philos is welcoming passengers at Athens Airport. The digital version of Philos is available at www.aia.gr. Photo source: @ATH_airport

Athens International Airport (AIA) recently introduced passengers to the digital version of its assistant Philos, who can now chat online to offer information and assist travelers through their mobile phone or tablet.

Named “Philos the Athenian”, the airport’s assistant was first introduced in 2016 when AIA celebrated 15 years of operations. Since then Philos has been on call at the airport, always ready to help visitors in Athens.

Philos means “friend” in English and is ready to provide passengers with essential information on Covid-19 and the measures implemented, with the support of artificial intelligence.

Operating on a pilot scheme, the digital “Philos” is a friendly assistant, eager to interact with travellers, learn more and develop further.

“By welcoming Philos on board, Athens Airport keeps on enhancing its digital footprint, with a dedicated information provider at the service of passengers,” AIA said in an announcement.

Travellers can interact with Philos through Athens Airport’s webpage at www.aia.gr.

The digital assistant is available to help and answer questions regarding travel and airport services in the Covid-19 era.

“Through prompt and friendly interaction, Philos will be able to respond to travellers’ queries. Being a quick learner, the airport’s new staff member will continue to enhance its knowledge and intelligence during this early phase of its life,” AIA said.

Philos was created by ICAP in cooperation with Greek startup SmartRep, using Natural Language Processing and Artificial Intelligence technology.

The digital assistant is part of Athens Airport’s digital transformation program and will soon be available in additional digital channels, ready to provide real-time information in Greek and in English, and offer a “helping hand” to enhance and support the existing 24/7 airport information services and communication channels.