New electronic check-in kiosks are just the ticket for passengers travelling through Gulf Air's gateways in Bahrain, Abu Dhabi and Oman
Sophisticated self-service kiosks will make airline check-ins faster and easier for Gulf Air passengers.
Gulf Air has become the first Middle East airline to introduce sophisticated, self-service e-check in kiosks at airports in Bahrain, Abu Dhabi and Oman, to make check-ins faster and easier for its passengers.
The kiosks, which will operate alongside ‘traditional’ check-in desks, have been installed in Abu Dhabi, Muscat, and Bahrain International Airports. The kiosk uses the latest IBM technology and integration services with a touch screen user interface that ensures a simplified process for passengers checking in with hand luggage, in all classes, thereby reducing queuing times and allowing them to directly control their assigned seating.
To speed up check-in, global travel technology provider Amadeus and IBM have built the necessary link between the kiosks and the Amadeus airline departure control system. This allows the kiosk to “recognise” the passenger, pull up their booking details on the touch screen, re-confirm subsequent modification - including choice of seating - and ultimately, issue a boarding pass for them.
“Gulf Air’s automated check-in kiosk provides a level of customer convenience not yet seen in the region,” said James Hogan, President and Chief Executive at Gulf Air. “It also enhances efficiency both for the airline and the airport.”
“Gulf Air is one of our leading hosted service customers,” says Hans Jorgensen, Vice President Airline Business Group, Amadeus. “We are pleased to be able to help them introduce the latest self-service kiosk technology and gain a competitive edge in their marketplace. “
Hogan adds that he is confident that customers will find the e-check in user friendly and that it will add a new dimension to the travel process. “The clear graphics and added advantages provided by the kiosk not only add to the speed and efficiency of the check-in but also add an element of fun.”
In the first phase of roll out, the distinctive kiosk will be located in the check-in area at each airport adjacent to the first and business class counters.
"The check-in process is enabled using the passenger’s frequent flyer card, credit card, or ATB-2 coupon, (the card version of a ticket issued by the majority of travel agents) any of which enable the kiosk to recognise the passenger and booking details, in order to issue the necessary boarding card,” explains Tariq Sultan, Vice President Information Technology at Gulf Air.
Once identified, passengers will then be taken through a series of ‘foolproof’ instructions – in Arabic or English - which are displayed clearly on the screen. Once a customer is familiar with the kiosk, Gulf Air is confident that check-ins can be completed within a matter of seconds!
“We even show a picture of the various tickets a customer may hold and highlight where they can find their booking reference – another means of verifying a customer’s identity,” adds Sultan.
The system displays an illustration of the interior of the particular aircraft being used on the sector in order to make seat selection as easy as possible.
“It is also possible to book seats for onward sectors,” adds Sultan. “At the end of the process the boarding pass or passes are issued along with an information card which includes an invitation to use the Gulf Air lounge if entitled. The information card contains details of the departure gate, boarding time, in addition to a request to have all travel documentation ready for checking by immigration.”
Customers can also use the kiosk to check-in groups of up to four people at one time and enter details of any partner frequent flyer programmes in addition to Gulf air’s own Falcon Frequent Flyer programme.
“While the introduction of these kiosks is a further illustration of Gulf Air’s commitment to harness the latest technology to enhance the travel experience for each of our customers, in no way will we lose touch with them,” concludes Hogan. “Ground service agents will be on hand to assist with the process, if needed, and to ensure the speedy transfer to the departure hall.”
The airline is already finalising plans to introduce more kiosks at other airports, as well as other versions of the kiosks at hotels and other strategic city locations in the Gulf Air network, which extends from Europe to Asia and covers 45 cities in 33 countries.
-Ends-
About Gulf Air
Gulf Air was founded in 1950. Today, it is owned by the Kingdom of Bahrain, Oman and the UAE, and is the only truly pan Gulf airline in the region. The airline’s network stretches from Europe to Asia and covers 45 cities in 33 countries. The fleet is one of the most modern in the Middle East and comprises 33 aircraft.
The airline is in the first year of a three-year strategic recovery programme, headed by President and Chief Executive, James Hogan. The airline’s aim is to further evolve by taking its renowned cultural strengths, which have been gained over more than half a century, into a global environment. For more information, please visit www.gulfairco.com.
About Amadeus Global Travel Distribution
Amadeus is a leading IT services provider to the airline industry and has recently designed a whole range of new generation, airline passenger service systems. These include IT systems associated with inventory management and departure control, which will be implemented first by British Airways, Qantas and Finnair.
Amadeus’ GDS data processing centre provides airlines with the largest distribution network, with 63,940 travel agency locations and 272,980 points of sale, located in over 200 markets worldwide. Through Amadeus, travel agencies and airline offices are able to book more than 95 per cent of the world's scheduled airline seats.
Amadeus also provides 134 airlines, in over 9,900 airline offices, with a cutting-edge technology platform for their sales and distribution requirements.
e-Travel, Amadeus's e-commerce business unit, is global leader in online travel technology and corporate travel management solutions. It powers 139 web-sites, serving 50 airlines and 2 airline alliances. More information is available at www.amadeus.com
About IBM
IBM is the world’s largest information technology company, with 80 years of leadership in helping businesses innovate. IBM offers a wide range of services, solutions and technologies that enable telecommunications service providers and equipment suppliers to take full advantage of the new era of e-business. IBM Global Services is the world’s largest information technology services provider, with 2001 revenues of more than $35 billion. Services is the fastest growing part of IBM, with nearly 150,000 professionals serving customers in 160 countries. IBM Global Services has about 150 data centres around the world keeping thousands of businesses running 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For more information on IBM, visit www.ibm.com.
About Gulf Business Machines
With roots stretching back 57 years, Gulf Business Machines is the largest locally situated IT solutions and service provider satisfying technology requirements of local, regional and international businesses and governments in the Gulf countries except Saudi Arabia. The company's comprehensive portfolio of IT solutions and services are complemented by a unique affiliation with an IBM community of more than 325,000 IT experts, as well as a number of international business partners. The company offers award-winning, globally acclaimed solutions and the security of its strong regional presence, extensive reach and its unrivalled market knowledge. More information can be found at http://www.gbm4ibm.com.
For further information contact:
Anne Tullis
Tel: +973 338 202
Fax: +973 338 207
anne.tullis@gulfairco.com
David Baker
Tel: +971 4 3344930
dbaker@hillandknowlton.co.ae
Yassin Matbouly
Tel: +9714 3491686
Fax: +9714 3493245
yassinm@spotonpr.com
Amadeus Corporate & Marketing Communication
Tel: +34 91 582 0160
Fax: +34 91 582 0188
info@amadeus.net
© Press Release 2003
