Sophisticated self-service IBM kiosks will make airline check-ins faster and easier for Gulf Air passengers
Gulf Air, the national carrier of Bahrain, UAE, Oman and Qatar, will become the first Middle East airline to introduce self-service check-in kiosks at selected locations in the airline’s network. The project to implement the automated service at Bahrain / Abu Dhabi / Muscat International Airports will begin immediately and is scheduled to be introduced to the travelling public early next year. The contract was awarded to Gulf Business Machines (GBM), IBM’s General Marketing and Services Representative for the Gulf, at a signing ceremony held today at GITEX.
The kiosks, which will operate alongside ‘traditional’ check-in desks, use touch-screen technology to ensure a simplified process for passengers checking in with hand luggage in the first phase, thereby reducing queuing times and providing a range of benefits for the business traveler. It will also allow passengers to directly control their assigned seating.
“Automated check-in kiosks not only enhance efficiency both for the airline and the airport, but they also provide a level of passenger convenience not yet seen in the region” said Tariq Sultan, Assistant Vice President of Information Technology, Gulf Air .
For Gulf Air the focus is on increasing the level of customer services it offers. In the future the airline will consider introducing more kiosks at other airports, as well as other versions of the kiosks at hotels and other strategic city locations.
“The phased introduction of check-in kiosks is the result of a commitment by Gulf Air to ‘go the extra mile for passengers’ and reflects our acknowledgement of the value of time to our customers,” added James Hogan, President & Chief Executive, Gulf Air.
Farid Metwaly, general manager of IBM Middle East, Egypt and Pakistan says the process is enabled by using the passengers’ frequent flyers card, credit card, or ATB-2 coupon, any of which allow the kiosk to recognise the passenger and booking details in order to issue the necessary boarding card.
“The IBM check-in kiosks support CUSS (Common Use Self Service) standard, a new platform that IATA is adopting as an industry standard which allows passengers to access different airlines' self-service check-in applications from a single kiosk," he said." The kiosks are based on the latest IBM technology and integration services with a touch screen user interface. The operation status of the kiosk will be monitored utilising IBM’s Kiosk Manager software, an online monitoring tool that allows for all kiosks across Gulf Air’s network to be managed from one central location.”
"For Gulf Air the benefits of the solution include enhanced passenger handling, the provision of alternative check in locations and the ability to increase the level of customer services it offers,” adds Abdulla Ishaq, General Manager, Bahrain Business Machines.
About Gulf Air
Gulf Air is the national carrier of Bahrain, Oman, Abu Dhabi and Qatar and the only truly PanGulf carrier in the region.
As a part of major recovery plans, the airline is embarking on a change strategy to enable it to regain its crown as the Gulf’s leading airline. Core focuses of the strategy are on streamlining administration and creating greater efficiencies with particular attention to customer service and product enhancements.
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
Media contacts: Gulf Air - David Baker, Gulf Air/Gulf Hill & Knowlton Dubai on +971 4 3344930 dbaker@hillandknowlton.co.ae or Ahmed Hussain Ali AlJanahi on +973 338080. Web: http://www.gulfairco.com.
IBM - Yassin Matbouly, Spot On Public Relations, Tel: +9714 3491686 Fax: +9714 3493245 E-mail: yassinm@spotonpr.comv
© Press Release 2002
