SITA INC expands self-service portfolio as it launches web check-in with Swissport

Bruno Frentzel, Senior Vice President, SITA INC, speaking today at the European Regional Airlines (ERA) General Assembly, said, "Our customers who include over 370 airlines, are very interested in this product which we are providing initially to a major European-based carrier with the expectation that many others will follow once it goes live.

"Along with our CUTE and common-use kiosk solutions, it fits in with SITA INC's vision for simplifying travel and transportation, specifically reducing costs, optimizing assets and empowering the passenger. Web check-in will mean dramatic cost savings on check-in for airlines."

This web check-in solution, and allied technology for common-use kiosks, will be deployed soon in the US and Europe, as the first tangible fruits of the partnership forged earlier this year between Swissport, the world's biggest ground handler, and SITA INC, the main provider of IT solutions to the air transport industry.

"This solution is ideal for our ground handling customers. It is a perfect way to draw congestion away from the airport. It should greatly improve the passenger experience," said Bruno Riesen, Chief Information Officer of Swissport.

"Web check-in is based on the very latest software technology as used in common-use kiosk check-in. Passengers will be able to go to the airline's web site and check in for their flights. They can choose their seat, print their boarding pass, and then simply go to the drop-off location where one of our agents will print their baggage tags and take their luggage," Riesen explained.

SITA INC and Swissport are particularly interested in discussing the application with regional airlines as most of them do not have this capability at present.

"It doesn't matter any longer whether you are a major international carrier or a regional airline, the very latest technology is now available to you and airlines can choose to have it on a pay per use basis. This brings the average cost of check-in down from $3.68 per passenger to a few cents, and frees up check-in staff to focus on productivity in other areas," said Bruno Frentzel.

Sita and Swissport are both enthusiastic about the state-of-the-art web check-in solution. "It's a must for operational efficiency, for example you don't have to worry about ticket and boarding pass printers, and you save on paper. You're moving more responsibility onto the passengers who welcome the possibility to arrive at the airport feeling more relaxed about their travel arrangements," said Swissport's Bruno Riesen.

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