Wizz Air to introduce web check-in
Central and Eastern European low cost specialist Wizz Air has launched web check-in for flights departing from Budapest, and plans to expand the service to all airports by Spring 2010.
Designed to eliminate queuing at airport check-in desks, the service is available at wizzair.com from seven days up to three hours before scheduled flight departure.
György Abrán, Chief Commercial Officer of Wizz Air, said: “We are delighted to present this service enhancement to our passengers. Online check-in makes the process more convenient and efficient both for the passengers as well as the airline. All passengers have to do is to print their own boarding pass at home and present it directly at the gate or at the check-in desks, if they travel with luggage. We encourage our passengers to benefit from this service as it becomes available at their airport.”
The rest of the boarding process remains as before, with passengers requested to arrive at the boarding gate at least 30 minutes before departure.
The service is expected to be popular as 40% of Wizz Air passengers carry only hand luggage.
Most of the world's leading airports (80%) plan to make self-service the primary means of checking in, according to the SITA Airport IT Trends Survey launched yesterday at the ACI World Conference in Kuala Lumpur.
Catherine Mayer, SITA Vice President for Airports, said: "This year's survey confirms that self-service is a global trend with almost 80% of respondents planning to make it the primary means for check-in by 2010 as is already the case at 40% of the world's top 100 airports.
"Airports are also recognising that passengers bypassing check-in counters may be faced with new bottlenecks and queues at baggage drop-off and security screening areas. As a result, airports are turning to various automation tools to track wait times at different checkpoints such as security and immigration..."
Heading off with Wizz Air? Remember to pre-book your airport parking and airport hotel with Holiday Extras for the best choice, service and value.
Written by: Maxine Clarke, November 4, 2009