Some passengers using Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport have been jumping the check-in queue since March this year when self-service check-in kiosks were installed.
A deal between electronic systems expert SITA and Northrop Grumman Canada could mean many more passengers get to enjoy the same time-saving benefits.
The deal will see a joint strategy to market Northrop Grumman's common use passenger self-service system (CUPSS) to airports worldwide.
Each CUPSS kiosk includes a touch-screen monitor, smart card reader and boarding pass printer. It will be integrated with SITA's existing common use terminal equipment (CUTE) and common use baggage enterprise system (CUBES) to offer further improved communications infrastructure to airports.
The system is only available to passengers with hand luggage, though SITA says it is addressing the technical and security issues surrounding the extension to all passengers.
SITA and Northro¼p Grumman have worked closely together since the early 1980s particularly on the development of CUTE.
Rapidly increasing demand for more terminal capacity around the world means existing infrastructure is being stretched to its limit, says John Jarrell, vice-president SITA Airport Systems Integration.
Source: Flight Daily News
