Introduction of new check-in kiosks saves time for passengers flying to Australia

Air New Zealand has today unveiled a new kiosk check-in experience for passengers flying to Australia, aimed to halve the time it takes to check-in.

In a first for passengers departing from New Zealand, people travelling to Australia from Auckland International Airport are now able to check themselves in, with more than 1500 passengers flying to Australia so far today able to use the new technology.

“This brand new experience provides our customers with a more convenient and faster way to check-in,” says Air New Zealand Group General Manager International Airline Ed Sims.

“Not only is it a friendlier and more welcoming area with staff no longer stuck behind desks, but we also expect it will reduce check-in queuing times by up to 50%.

“Currently passengers must check-in at least 90 minutes prior to their Australian flights, but if the new process succeeds in reducing check-in time as expected, then Air New Zealand will look to reduce the 90 minute deadline.”

Passengers simply scan their machine readable passports at a kiosk to be issued with a boarding pass, and bag tags if they are checking in bags. Customers then take their bags to the ‘bag drop’ area, where Air New Zealand staff will scan the bag and check the passenger’s ID.

“We set ourselves the challenge to transform our customers’ experience of the airport, so they have a seamless experience from checking-in through to walking off the plane at their destination,” says Mr Sims.

There are 18 new self-service kiosks in the economy check-in area, and six new kiosks in the premium check-in area.

Air New Zealand passengers able to use the new check-in process are those travelling to an Australian destination with:
· a New Zealand or Australian passport;
· any passport with a machine readable zone on their passport, or
· any passenger on another passport type holding a valid electronic travel authority (ETA).

The airline will be progressively introducing new kiosks at its Wellington, Queenstown and Christchurch international check-in areas over the next nine months.

The new check-in process is similar to that introduced at Air New Zealand’s main domestic terminals from 2008. The new kiosks dramatically reduced check in times for Air New Zealand customers with domestic travel from Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Hamilton, Rotorua, Napier, Palmerston North, New Plymouth, Nelson, Dunedin, Invercargill and Queenstown.