Airlines adopt new boarding passes

The International Air Transport Association (Iata) has confirmed that airlines have now completed the adoption of barcode boarding passes (BCBP).Use of the new passes will allow passengers taking flights to Australia and other destinations will be able to benefit from a range of new services made possible by the BCBPs. Travellers can now opt to check-in at home, at an airport counter or kiosk or via a mobile device.

Airlines will also benefit as the passes are cheaper and more efficient that the magnetic strip boarding cards that they have replaced.

Iata director-general Giovanni Bisignani explained: “After electronic ticketing in 2008, the conversion to BCBP is the next important step to provide passengers with more convenience and choice.

“Completing many tasks during the journey will now take seconds with the swipe of a bar code.”

The Iata represents around 230 airlines, which are responsible for 93 per cent of scheduled international air travel.

Written by Erin Marshall.