Jetstar cuts costs by introducing automatic check-in scheme
Come November, Jetstar passengers will be confronted with electronic self-service tools as they print their own tickets and tag their own baggage. This campaign is included in the new cost-cutting measures from the low budget airline.
According to the Herlad Sun, passengers will need to print their boarding pass from the internet or get them from self-service ticket kiosks if they want to avoid a customer service charge amounting between $5 and $10.
Via an SMS booking system, Jetstar patrons will be able to check-in, attach their baggage tags themselves and leave them at a luggage drop before boarding. Received SMS will be examined by placing respective mobile phones beneath a scanner at an IBM designed departure kiosk to check in.
"What it means is that you can arrive at an airport and avoid the queue," company Chief Bruce Buchanan explained.
Although a projected 90 percent of travellers are expected to take up the self-service option, the airline will retain ticket counters for the elderly, the disabled and those unable to adopt the new system.
Ticket Counter Staff would be reassigned, Jestar assured, thus, no job losses will take place. Meanwhile, passengers who still check in through the traditional ticket counter would be asked a small charge, Buchanan said.
This is a "world first" in the grounds that passengers are automatically checked-in 24 hours before their flight leaves.