Business travellers should see a major improvement in mobile boarding pass technology next year, as developments allow remote access even in isolated airports.
Mobile applications appear to be progressing leaps and bounds ” and could result in a vastly more efficient airport experience ” one of business passengers' key complaints.
And IATA”s (International Air Transport Association) recent decision to approve the amendment to two dimensional (2D) barcode boarding passes, has been welcomed by developers in the mobile field.
Mobile Travel Technologies (MTT), provides airlines with travel technology to allow passengers to access web sites, as well as check-in/barcode boarding pass facilities.
The technique is particularly useful for overseas passengers who may not have access to a PC web check-in and who may use airports with limited or no kiosks.
MTT has developed its m2plane system that already supports the Aztec, Datamatrix and QR 2D barcode standards, as well as 1D standards. The m2plane encodes traveller details in IATA standard or airline proprietary formats.
Barcode boarding passes can be delivered to passengers via MMS, SMS or mobile web for presentation at check-in and airport security.
MTT says that IATA research shows there will be a significant increase in the number of airlines offering mobile check-in next year and notes that its m2plane system does need a separate ticketing system.
”We believe this is a significant step in creating more efficient check-in and boarding,” said MTT executive director, Gerry Samuels.
”It will enable airlines to extend the self-service check-in model to those travellers who do not have access to internet-connected PCs or who are flying from airports without kiosks.”
The company”s system also allow travellers to view, change and cancel bookings, select seats, book and pay for flights and ancillaries, view flight status and gates, receive booking confirmations and local travel information.