Incheon airport to launch self-service bag drop system
Dubai, March 12, 2015: Seouls Incheon International Airport which topped the service quality ranking by the Airports Council International (ACI) for 10 straight years,is launching this month self-bag drop service on a trial basis, a senior Korean aviation official said.
Speaking at the Future of Borders International Conference in Dubai, Jung June AHN, Executive Director for Public Relations Group at the Incheon International Airport Corporation (IIAC), said the Self bag drop service pilot operations will cover selected flights of Eva Air (EA), Korean Air (KE) and Asiana Airlines (OZ).
The conference has a line-up of 24 speakers from 12 countries, including ACI and IATA representatives.The conference has been organised by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group. The project is part of the expansion programme for the innovative U-Airport services that the airport has been pursuing over the past few years as part of the passenger flow management system and easing passenger facilitation at one of the worlds leading international airports. Passengers flying with Korean Air and Asiana Airlines will be the first to be able to make use of the new system, which will allow them to complete bag tagging and bag drop in a one-step process.
The Self-Service Zone and Passenger Flow Management System are designed to enhance security and reduce passenger waiting time. Visual congestion info and queue measurement sensor are part of the Smart airport project. The airport, which boasts the worlds third largest terminal in size,handled 45.51 million 2014 9.1 per cent growth between 2012 and 2014. Incheon is the main hub for Korean Air and Asiana Airlines it offers flight destinations throughout the globe. June AHN said: Airport is no longer a mere gateway to another country. Passengers want some new experience and excitement. Airtainmentis the new trend in aviation industry. One extra hour is an additional value to passengers to rest, relax, shopping and cultural experience. We have a set a common goal to shorten the processing time and enhanceservice performance.
He said the airport was aiming to process 95 per cent of passengers in departures within 45 minutes as against the ICAOs standard of 60 minutes from check-in to passport. Similarly, processing of 95 per cent of arrival passengers will be reduced to 40 minutes as against 45 minutes set by ICAO.
About U-Airport, June AHN said the concept anytime, anywhere, omnipresent has been designed to reduce passenger processing time and make new value for passengers. The gateway to Korea launched self-check in service in 2007 and 10 per cent of departure passengers last year availed the facility. Being used by 12 airlines, it has proved to be nine minutes faster than traditional check-in. The Automated Immigration, launched in 2008, uses finger print and facial recognition. About 30 per cent of Korean passengers including qualified foreigners have benefited from the smart service last year.
He said the airports three key elements for the seamless travel facilitation are U-airport, service monitoring and collaboration with stakeholders. Continuous collaboration of stakeholders is the key to successful operation of airport involving various stakeholders. Outstanding performance and mutual growth could be achieved through harmonious collaboration. We have to motivate airport employees with shared goal and strong communication channel. Passenger satisfaction comes from the heart, not from the brain, he remarked.
