Touch and go as airport lands itself new self-service kiosks

Published on Monday 15 September 2008 10:10

THOUSANDS of passengers at Edinburgh Airport are set to speed up their journey through check-in with the delivery of new self- service kiosks.

Airport bosses have installed ten of the terminals in a bid to tackle the queues.

British Airways and BMI already have check-in machines for their own customers, but the 300,000 terminals installed by airport operator BAA will be open to all airlines.

Air France, KLM and Flybe have all signed up to use the machines, but airport bosses are hoping to attract dozens of airlines to use them over the coming years.

Passengers will have to prove their identity by presenting a passport barcode, credit card, and frequent flyer or transaction number at the machine.

They will then go through a series of touch screens and their boarding pass is then printed.

Those passengers with luggage will then proceed to check in their bags at the fast bag drop desks.

Edinburgh is the first airport in Scotland to install the self-service machines, which are common in London's airports.

David Lister, Edinburgh Airport's customer service director, said: "We are always looking at new ways of improving our passengers' journeys through the airport.

"The new kiosks enable us to increase the capacity of our check-in hall as further additional flights take off from Edinburgh. This year alone 27 new services have started or are yet to start, and more than nine million passengers will have used the airport.

"We expect the self-service option to prove especially popular with frequent flyers and business travellers.

"It's particularly efficient for those passengers travelling without check-in luggage."

The self-service kiosks at Edinburgh Airport are located just to the left of the main entrance to the check-in hall.

Airport bosses have said that airline and ground handling staff will be on hand to assist passengers with the process.

The technology is currently available for Air France and KLM passengers, with Flybe coming on line to the service later this month.

Christine Ourmires, general manager for Air France and KLM in the UK and Ireland, said: "We are delighted to be one of the first airlines to work with BAA on the new self-service check-in system at Edinburgh Airport.

"The touch screen facility will undoubtedly enhance customer service by helping to speed up the check-in process, which will save customers time and make their journey more stress-free as a result."

Flybe's chief commercial officer, Mike Rutter, added: "We will be operating 310 flights a week from Edinburgh from the start of the winter season so are especially pleased that our passengers will be able to enjoy the very real customer service benefits offered by the new self-service kiosks.

"These undoubtedly save passengers valuable time at check-in."