Flydubai Partners With Microsoft To Launch App For Passenger Check-In

Dubai-based low cost carrier flydubai said that it has begun to use the Windows 8 application at Dubai International Airport to facilitate passenger check-in.

Through the use of the app, check-in time will be reduced to two minutes per passenger, the airline said in a statement.

The app runs on a touch-enabled tablet that connects to the airline’s backend services and is integrated with a passport scanner and printer. It aims to ease the check-in process by allowing staff to scan passenger information, assign seats and issue boarding passes on the spot.

The application was developed in partnership with Microsoft Gulf, the statement said.

“Travel is one of the fastest growing industries in the region,” said Michael Mansour, directors of Apps and Innovation at Microsoft Gulf.

“It is under increasing pressure to deliver improved quality of service while tackling productivity and workforce shortage challenges. The Windows 8 App developed for flydubai is a regional first, enabling staff to check-in passengers on-the-go.”

Gulf airlines have been adopting new technologies to ease the travel experience of their passengers.

Abu Dhabi carrier Etihad recently announced the introduction of mobile boarding passes on select routes for those using its mobile online check-in facility.

The new mobile boarding passes will contain the same information as traditional passes and will be scanned by an electronic reader at the departure gate.

Passengers can also receive mobile boarding passes directly on their smartphone, allowing more flexibility, Etihad said in a statement.

A recent study by travel technology firm Amadeus also showed that tech savvy users, who demand round the clock high-speed connectivity, are set to drive the growth in GCC’s travel industry. The research indicated that such users will increasingly look to their mobiles to book and plan their journeys.