The airport is currently focusing on using technology in new ways to improve processes and so make the journey smoother for its passengers and the airlines that serve them.
Melbourne airport’s passenger improvements are underpinned by SITA's common-use platform, which has already successfully delivered self-service check-in kiosks and automated bag drop throughout the airport. The self-boarding gates are seen as the next step in delivering a highly efficient, self-service passenger experience and reducing the cost of operations for the airlines using the airport. This is one of the six areas of a passenger’s airport journey in IATA’s Fast Travel programme which is looking to to save the industry up to US$2bn annually.
Over a three-month period, SITA worked with the airport to analyse the potential improvements that self-boarding gates could provide. Together, SITA and Melbourne airport have implemented a self-boarding gate in T2 International, which allows passengers to simply scan their boarding pass to gain access to the aircraft. Speed of processing, passenger perception and accuracy will be measured as the airport evaluates the benefits that self-service boarding offers.
Initial results of the self-boarding trial have been positive, with passengers showing strong interest and approval of boarding the aircraft by scanning their own boarding pass. The final results will now be analysed by the SITA and Melbourne airport teams.
This initiative is part of the overall airport development to enhance the experience for the 30 international airlines and more than 32m passengers who currently use it. The initiative looks to the future, since passenger numbers at Melbourne are expected to reach 60m by 2030.
