Shorter check-in queues are promised with the introduction of Deutsche Lufthansa”s new self-service check-in terminals.
The terminals, known as almex.express, will be introduced at European airports during 2008.
For passengers, the terminals are familiar and are used in the same way, but the new designs have ergonomic advantages, and being smaller and lighter than those currently used, they are on wheels and can be moved around the airport as necessary.
The new check-in terminals will also be fitted with radio frequency identification (RFI) scanners that can read passports and credit cards, and will be able to scan fingerprints and so meets the new e-ticketing requirements in civil aviation.
The terminal, which is a new generation system, is the result of on-going development to replace five to eight year old devices previously supplied by Hoeft & Wessel, a Hanover-based hardware and software manufacturer, which has three UK business divisions, Almex, Metric and Skeye, based at Metric House, Westmead Industrial Estate, Westlea, Swindon. The company has more than 1,000 self-service check-in terminals already installed, and will supply the 310 new terminals to Lufthansa during the course of 2008.
Said Thomas Wolf, responsible for the ticketing division with the Almex brand: ”The new contract will allow us to consolidate our strong market position in Europe where we are one of the leading suppliers in this field.”
Sarah Riches