Passengers flying with any airline from Vienna International Airport are set to use the first common-use self-boarding gates go into operation anywhere in the world.

The gates, provided by air transport IT specialist SITA, are being installed throughout Vienna’s terminals, including the new terminal Skylink, which will open mid-2012.

In total, 92 double-lane gates will be available to board the close to 20 million passengers that use the airport annually and they will be capable of handling the expected future growth in passenger numbers.

Julian Jäger, chief operating officer of Vienna International Airport, said: “One of our main strategies is to increase our service quality and passenger travel experience at Vienna International Airport.

“This new boarding solution will substantially contribute to our objectives.”

In addition to the efficiencies self-boarding delivers, there is clear demand from passengers for the service.

According to the latest statistics reported in the 2011 SITA/Air Transport World Passenger Self-Service Survey, 30 per cent of passengers have used automated boarding gates and 70 per cent are interested in this service.

Boris Padovan, SITA regional vice president, East and Central Europe, said: “SITA is committed to helping the air transport industry improve efficiencies, and passenger self-service is key to this.

“The SITA common use self-boarding solution at Vienna International is a clear demonstration of our close cooperation with our customers to develop innovative solutions.

“We are delighted to be chosen by Vienna International and to be the first to deliver common use self-boarding to the industry - another important step in end-to-end self-service for passengers.”

Installation of the self-boarding solution has already begun and all 92 gates will be in operation by the time the new Skylink terminal opens next year.

SITA is managing the entire project for Vienna International Airport including the procurement and installation of KABA automatic gates, integration with the existing SITA CUTE platform, extensive training handling personnel and ongoing operations and maintenance.