Self-boardinq spreads its winqs

摘要

Technology allowing passengers to scan their own boarding passes has been available since the 1990s, but popularity of self-service systems within the air transport sector is increasing as travellers become accustomed to higher levels of automation in their everyday lives. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) forecasts that by 2020, 80% of air travellers will be offered some element of self-service during their journey. However, market growth for 'e-gates' or self-boarding gates (SBGs) is restricted in some parts of the world. At an SBG, two-dimensional (2-D) barcode data on the boarding pass is captured and sent electronically via the airport's Common User Terminal Equipment (CUTE) system to the relevant airline's Departure Control System (DCS). The passenger record is then marked as 'boarded' and the message to allow the door of the gate to open is then sent back to the SBG. If there is a problem with the barcode, the passenger is refused access and referred to an agent.