Following an agreement between Frankfurt CUTE CLUB (Common Use Terminal Equipment Local User Board) and SITA INC (Information Networking Computing)…
Following an agreement between Frankfurt CUTE CLUB (Common Use Terminal Equipment Local User Board) and SITA INC (Information Networking Computing), Frankfurt Airport will soon become the world’s first airport where the community of airlines and other partners operate a shared network of common-use self-service (CUSS) kiosks for passenger check-in and other services.
Beginning this autumn, many of the more than 50 million passengers who use Frankfurt Airport (FRA) annually will benefit from speedier check-in times. Some 42 airlines and ground handlers at FRA will be able to share a network of kiosks throughout the passenger terminals. Passengers will be able to check in for their particular airline flight at any of the, initially, eight CUSS kiosks. Fraport AG expects the self-service rate at Frankfurt to reach 60 to 70 percent by 2010.
Fraport AG, which owns and manages Frankfurt Airport, and SITA INC, which will provide the CUSS kiosks, both welcome this decision by the Frankfurt CUTE CLUB. Stefan Meyer, chairman of the Frankfurt CUTE CLUB, said: The CUSS-capable kiosk significantly enhances passenger service because airlines without their own check-in kiosks will now be able to offer travelers this automated self-service capability.
Each airline or partner with a CUSS application – corresponding to the International Air Transport Association’s CUSS standard – can integrate it with the CUTE CLUB self-service solution and make the kiosks accessible to their passengers, too.
Catherine Mayer, SITA INC’s vice president of airport services, said: We believe this is the beginning of an international trend that will see CUSS projects being driven by both airlines and airports at the majority of airports within the next three years.
Michael Schwarz, vice president infrastructure of Fraport AG’s Traffic and Terminal Management division, said: CUSS is a further building block in simplifying passenger travel. It’s a quick and secure process.
The CUSS kiosk will also allow integration of other high-end technologies such as biometrics and two-dimensional (2D) bar codes. An automated, biometrically-based border-crossing control system was introduced at Frankfurt Airport in 2004.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
