Frankfurt Airport is to become the first airport
worldwide where common-use self-service kiosks (CUSS) will be run by the community
of airlines and partners based at the airport following an agreement between Fraport
AG and SITA INC (Information Networking Computing).Catherine Mayer, Vice President of Airport Services at SITA INC said: “SITA INC
believes this is the beginning of a worldwide trend which will see CUSS projects
being driven by both airlines and airports at the majority of airports within the
next three years.”

From July onwards, many of the 51 million passengers who use Frankfurt Airport each
year will benefit from speedier check-in times thanks to a decision by the 42
airlines and ground-handlers based there, to commission and operate common-use
self-service kiosks (CUSS) for passenger check-in.  Fraport AG anticipates a
possible self-service rate of 60% to 70% by the year 2010.

Both Fraport AG which manages the airport and SITA INC (information Networking
Computing) which will provide the CUSS kiosks, have welcomed the decision of the
Frankfurt CUTE CLUB (Common Use Terminal Local User Board).

Stefan Meyer, chairman of the Frankfurt CUTE CLUB said: “The CUSS-capable check-in
kiosk is a significant enhancement of passenger service because airlines without
their own kiosk systems will now be able to offer their passengers this automated
self-service.

“Each airline or partner that owns a CUSS application   which corresponds to the
IATA CUSS standard can apply it on our self-service solution and make the kiosks
accessible for passengers.”

Michael Schwarz, Infrastructure Manager, Traffic and Terminal Management Division of
Fraport AG, commented: “CUSS is a further building block in simplifying passenger
travel. It’s a quick and safe process.”

An automated, biometrically-based border-crossing control system was introduced at
Frankfurt Airport in 2004. The CUSS kiosk also provides the possibility to integrate
high-end technologies such as biometrics and 2D bar codes.
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