SITA launched the world’s smallest full-function check-in kiosk at the IATA AGM in Kuala Lumpur and shows how passengers can now track their own missing bags.

Two new environmentally friendly airport kiosks, including one which allows passengers check the status of delayed or missing baggage, were demonstrated today by the air transport IT specialist, SITA, at the IATA AGM in Kuala Lumpur.

In a move to make life easier for the owners of the millions of bags which are mishandled each year, SITA is enabling a new kiosk with a web-link to its WorldTracer software used by over 440 airlines and ground handlers. This WorldTracer kiosk allows passengers to check on the status of their delayed bags over the web and to file “missing bag” reports without having to queue and talk to an agent.

SITA’s new AirportConnect S3 Kiosk was also on display today and the 64-kg full-function check-in kiosk has the smallest carbon footprint in the industry with a printer that can issue up to 5,300 boarding passes from a single roll. It can also print bag tags for self-tagging to speed up the bag drop process. Two S3 kiosks take up the same space as one conventional model.

The AirportConnect S3 Kiosk is the most compact, freestanding check-in kiosk available. It is also fitted with passport and document scanners to speed up collection of Advance Passenger Information and Electronic Travel Authorization Service data for visa validation.

Speaking about the WorldTracer Kiosk which will be commercially launched later this year, Catherine Mayer, Vice President SITA Airport Solutions, said: “Passengers rank check-in baggage arriving on time as second in importance for a pleasant journey after the flight arriving on time. Unfortunately, millions of checked bags are delayed each year but this new WorldTracer kiosk will provide affected passengers with more convenience and peace of mind.

“Using these kiosks passengers can scan their bag tags and enter their contact details. The passenger can then generate a claim and continue their journey without having to queue at a service counter. A unique claims ID number allows the passenger to remain informed of the status of their baggage, either through a dedicated web site or a call centre. Our WorldTracer application will be able to provide them with instant feedback on the status of their bags, 99.9% of which are successfully traced and reunited with their owners within 48 hours or less.”

SITA’s WorldTracer is the industry-standard, fully-automated system for tracing lost and mishandled passenger baggage used by over 440 airlines and ground-handling companies worldwide. Last year the WorldTracer database showed a mishandling rate of 14.28 bags per thousand passengers worldwide, compared to 18.86 per thousand in 2007.

Kiosks for check-in and issuing bag tags are fast becoming the most popular channel for passengers in North America and Europe, while world-wide, kiosk-use is running at 30% for all passengers including Asia/Pacific.