27.12.2007
Self-service check-in has become popular
In close cooperation with the airlines, Copenhagen Airport is investing in new and modern check-in facilities to ease the process for passengers. An increasing number of passengers prefer to use the new check-in possibilities, such as self-service kiosks, the internet and the cell phone. Today, 40 percent of our passengers check in on their own and the number of airlines offering check-in over the internet has more than tripled during 2007.
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"In a close dialogue with our customers, Copenhagen Airport is investing in modern passenger-friendly equipment, which is available to the airlines free of charge. Our self-service kiosks, which most of the airlines at Copenhagen Airport are connected to, have been a huge success |
and we are seeing increasing demand from airlines wanting to offer check-in over the internet and the cell phone to their passengers," says Brian Petersen, CEO of Copenhagen Airports A/S.
The latest figures show that around 30 percent of the passengers use the self-service kiosks established in the terminals at Copenhagen Airport. Also, the number of passengers using the internet technology has increased strongly in 2007 to 54,000 users per month, which means that 1 out of 10 passengers check in over the internet.
Check-in outside the airport area
Within one year, the number of airlines offering check-in over the internet has more than tripled from four companies in November 2006 to 15 at the end of 2007. This includes SAS, which was the first airline to offer check-in over the internet.
”We expect even more airlines to connect to the internet and cell phone technology in the year to come. Moreover, Copenhagen Airport has taken the initiative to establish self-service kiosks outside the airport area. So far, we have established self-service kiosks at the metro station and in 2008, they will also be set up in selected multi-story car parks and on Copenhagen Central Station. Hence, more and more passengers will have checked in already before they arrive at the airport, which means that the need for baggage drops will increase, while the number of check-in counters will go down,” says Brian Petersen.
More passengers check in on their own
The ACI, an international association of airports, conducts surveys of passengers' choice of check-in methods on a current basis. According to the latest survey from Q3 2007, Copenhagen Airport with an average of 30 percent ranks much higher than other European airports, when it comes to passengers’ use of self-service check-in. This is much higher than the average for other European airports, where only 9 percent use self-service check-in.
| "A lot more passengers check in on their own at Copenhagen Airport, compared to other European airports. This is the result of many years’ intensive cooperation with the airlines and we have joined forces to move the passengers to the self-service kiosks. We see the value of this clearly today with Copenhagen Airport |
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topping the list compared to the sector in general," says Brian Petersen.
Paperless travel
SAS is currently the only airline operating at Copenhagen Airport to offer check-in via the cell phone. But Copenhagen Airport believes it is only a matter of time before other airlines link up to the modern technology, too.
"A number of airlines are preparing for mobile check-in. In future, the relevant information will be stored in a 2D code on the phone so that passengers can check in anywhere. At Copenhagen Airport, we have prepared for this technology by installing scanners at all gates and at the security checkpoint so that the travellers can proceed directly to the security checkpoint if they are not carrying any baggage. This means that the passengers can travel paperless and begin their journey quickly and smoothly," says Brian Petersen.