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Mobile Phone Check-in Moves a Step Closer

12th October 2007 The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has announced a global standard that paves the way for global mobile phone check-in using bar codes.

Mobile phone check-in enables airlines to send 2D bar codes directly to a passenger's mobile phone, pda or smart phone. Passengers will simply register their mobile number with their airline at the time of booking to receive a text message with a 2D bar code, or instructions to download it. The bar code becomes the passenger's boarding pass and it is read directly from the screen of the mobile device, eliminating paper completely from the check-in process.

"Passengers want the convenience of self-service options in a paperless environment. This standard is an important step in getting rid of paper that bogs down processes and drives up costs," said Giovanni Bisignani, IATA's Director General and CEO.

The industry has set a deadline of the end of 2010 to implement 100% bar coded boarding passes (BCBP). Upon full implementation, BCBP will save the industry over US$500 million annually.

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