20 Jul 2006
Newcastle International Airport has installed 10 self-service kiosks in the first phase of what could become a significant investment in IT and automated services.
But the firm warns further development of self-service technology could be stalled without buy-in from major airlines such as British Airways and EasyJet.
Newcastle IT support manager Darren Kelly says the airport wants common-use kiosks, instead of individual kiosks from each of the 17 airlines that use the airport, so it can manage the concourse more efficiently and reduce space requirements.
‘It would be simpler for passengers if they could check-in at any kiosk, rather than having different kiosks for each airline,’ he said. ‘It is also more efficient for airlines as we manage and implement the technology.’
So far only KLM is on board, though Thomas Cook and ThomsonFly are seeking to operate from the kiosks and Air France and Lufthansa are awaiting the trial results.
BA has installed six of its own self-service kiosks at the airport. ‘We do use common-use kiosks at some airports, but where we have large passenger numbers, we prefer to use our own kiosks,’ said a BA spokeswoman.
EasyJet is also considering a request to offer self-service check-in to its passengers via the kiosks.
Newcastle is the first regional airport to install self-service kiosks and hopes to expand the trial next year.
Kelly says integration of supplier SITA’s common-use self-service kiosks with airline departure systems was straightforward, and it is looking at further investment in online check-in, improved scanning and automated baggage systems.
The airport has already upgraded its baggage management system and launched a web site carrying information on arrivals and departures, car parking and its travel shop.
Forrester Research principal analyst Kerry Bodine says self-service technology is now more affordable for smaller airports, as operating standards allow them to share knowledge.
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