IATA, Royal Jordanian and the Jordanian Civil Aviation Authority (JCAA) announced an agreement to introduce common use self service check-in (CUSS) and industry standard bar coded boarding passes (BCBP) at Queen Alia International Airport (QAIA).Both are key elements of IATA’s Simplifying the Business programme.

Simplifying the Business is a five-project initiative designed to make travel more convenient and reduce industry costs by US$6.5 billion annually.

Other projects include 100% electronic ticketing by the end of 2007, the use of radio frequency identification for baggage management and IATA e-freight.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) lays the foundation for the introduction of CUSS in QAIA by the end of 2006 and BCBP during the first quarter of 2007.

Under the agreement, Royal Jordanian will act as project developer and operator, IATA will provide advisory support while the JCAA will serve as a facilitator and regulator.

Common use self service check-in allows customers to check-in on a number of different airlines using the same kiosk.

As such it helps airports make more efficient use of limited space and increase overall passenger capacity. 

It also speeds up check-in for passengers by more than 30%. Bar coded boarding passes also help passengers to avert queues by facilitating check-in and the printing of boarding passes at home over the internet. 

“The Middle East is the fastest growing air travel market in the world recording double-digit passenger growth in 31 of the past 33 months. Although airlines in the region are investing heavily in new aircraft to match market growth, many airports are not expanding at the same pace,” said Giovanni Bisignani, Director General and CEO of IATA.

“This is a great example of how industry and government can work together to manage growth, boost service levels and improve efficiency at the same time. I applaud the leadership and spirit of cooperation shown by Royal Jordanian and the JCAA in their efforts to simplify the business in Jordan.”
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