Qantas Announces Plans for Airport of the Future

[dna]

Sydney, 11 November 2009

Qantas today unveiled plans to overhaul its domestic airport check-in which will halve check-in times for customers at CityFlyer ports across Australia.

Speaking at the National Aviation Press Club today, Qantas Chief Executive, Mr Alan Joyce, said the Airport of the Future initiative would begin next year with the introduction of next generation check-in.

"Qantas will be introducing new world-leading technology to revolutionise the airport experience for its customers around Australia," Mr Joyce said.

"Qantas Frequent Flyers' cards will be embedded with an intelligent chip, transforming them into personal boarding passes linked to permanent bag tags.

"This will enable Qantas passengers to swipe their Frequent Flyer card on a reader and head to a simplified baggage drop, or straight through the security process to their departure gate, or Qantas lounge.

"The first stage of our Airport of the Future initiative will help eliminate queues for our customers. It will commence in Perth and will be followed by Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Canberra.

The service will be available for all Qantas Frequent Flyers from Silver through to Platinum and all Qantas Club Members. Bronze Frequent Flyers and non-frequent flyers will also see significant upgrades to their check-in arrangements, with hosted kiosks and rapid bag drop.

"With this new personal boarding pass and permanent bag tag, checking in baggage will no longer be a chore - no more baggage stickers and weigh-ins at the desk. While the process will be simple, the technology behind it will ensure the full range of security checks remain solidly in place," Mr Joyce said.

Mr Joyce said the new approach was expected to halve check-in time.

"Next-generation check-in is all about responding to our customers' desire for increased speed and ease through the airport process," he said.

"The response from customers, in our market research, to the major innovation, has been overwhelmingly positive.

"Importantly, the changes will provide new added services for our Frequent Flyers, particularly business travellers, who are time poor and looking for ease and efficiency when they fly."

A next generation check-in will commence in Perth in mid-2010. Roll-out will then commence in Sydney towards the end of next year, Melbourne in early 2011 and remaining CityFlyer ports through the year.

Issued by Qantas Corporate Communication (3973)