True end-to-end self-service unveiled by SITA and BCS

SITA, with baggage handling system specialist BCS Group, has unveiled a self-service baggage solution for common-use platforms that now provides air passengers with the ability to experience true end-to-end self-service with unassisted bag tagging and drop off.

A recent survey found that continued growth of self- service now depends on the ability of passengers to tag their bags and drop them off without waiting in line. SITA’s Passenger Self-Service Survey, one of the most comprehensive global surveys ever undertaken of passenger use of air transport self-service technology, found that almost half of the survey respondents who checked in at a desk, rather than online or through a kiosk, did so because of the need to check in a bag.

“Passengers have made their views quite clear: they want to use more self- service. SITA’s Passenger Self-Service Survey shows that 70% of passengers would tag their own bag if they could,” said Ilya Gutlin, Vice President Airport Solutions, SITA. “That is why we are working with BCS Group to deliver the missing links in unassisted bag drop and true end-to-end self-service solutions for the world’s airports using common use systems.”

With the SITA/BCS service passengers can check in at a kiosk where bag tags are also printed for self tagging. Then they simply proceed to a self-service bag drop area where the BCS BAGgate automatically scans the bag tag and reconciles the boarding pass, and then the bag is weighed, measured and dispatched for the flight without the need for agent intervention.

SITA has been working with BCS for nearly 10 years on various Australian baggage handling system integration projects and the first trials of this end-to-end self-service are planned at an Australian airport.

Marc Michel, BCS General Manager Services and Solutions, said, “SITA’s common-use platform expertise, combined with our baggage handling and system integration expertise offers airports the chance to give passengers the self-service baggage options and enhanced journey experience they want in a cost-effective manner.”

Passengers will have the opportunity to try the service from mid-2011.