INDIA. Bengaluru International Airport has become the first BCBP (Bar Coded Boarding Passes) compliant airport in India – and has received a platinum certification from International Air Transport Association (IATA) for its efforts.
The airport said: “The technology will reduce costs and improve customer service for both airlines and airports by introducing faster and easier check-in. This system offers the passenger more self-service options during their journey through the airport. This also translates into paper documents being converted into electronic messages both for passengers and air cargo, saving time and increasing accuracy.” The move could result in less time spent at check-in, leaving longer commercial dwell time among travellers.
A delegation from IATA presented the certificate to the management of the Bengaluru International Airport at a special ceremony.
This BCBP implementation at Bengaluru International Airport is in line with the aviation industry’s decision to have all IATA member airports 2D bar code compliant by the end of year 2010.
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Receiving the IATA Platinum Certification: (Left to right) IATA Manager India Sunil Chopra, IATA Project Manager, Bar Coded Boarding Pass Simplifying the Business Eric Leopold, BIAL CEO Marcel Hungerbuehler, BIAL COO Hari Marar and BIAL Head Information Communication Technology (ICT) Francis Rajan |
BCBP uses IATA industry standard 2D bar codes that can be accessed from anywhere in the world. This is convenient for the passenger and eliminates the need for archaic and expensive magnetic stripe boarding passes. The industry’s saving is estimated at US$1.5 billion every year.
Commenting about the certification, IATA Bar Coded Boarding Pass Simplifying the Business Project Manager Eric Leopold said: “We are delighted to recognise the efforts put in by the BIAL management to make Bengaluru International Airport 2D Bar Code compliant.”
“With this they have partnered with the world travel industry to simplify processes and reduce costs. This will now set a best practice example for other Indian airports and help IATA maintain the deadline of 2010 for achieving this standard.”
BIAL CEO Marcel Hungerbuehler added: “This is a proud moment as it reflects the Bengaluru International Airport’s proactive approach to adopting technology in order to simplify airport processes. The use of 2D Bar Code will not only reduce costs but also revolutionise the way we travel. We will continue to pioneer best industry practices.”
Striving for customer satisfaction
In recent customer satisfaction surveys conducted by both domestic and international airlines, Bengaluru International Airport has emerged with high ratings.
In Air France’s latest passenger survey, Bengaluru International emerged with higher rankings than leading airports such as Incheon International Airport, Singapore Changi Airport and Hong Kong International Airport.
Air France KLM, India General Manager Pieter de Man said: “The customer satisfaction results for Bangalore from April to November 2009 rate the airport as one of the best in the Asia Pacific region. This is a direct reflection of customers’ perception of the world-class airport facilities at Bengaluru International Airport and the efforts of our joint teams.”
“Our Bangalore airport services team has been rated number one across our network by our customers. Bengaluru International Airport also ranks number one in terms of punctuality and baggage handling among all airports within the Jet Airways network. We attribute this to the support and facilities provided by BIAL,” said Jet Airways Regional General Manager – Karnataka & Andhra Pradesh Girish Nair.
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