A few days back, Indian railways announced approval of Virtual Reservation Message as a valid ticket proof, i.e. a screen-shot of the e-ticket displayed through laptops/palmtops/ Mobile phone will be accepted as a valid ticket proof, which surely a great step in embracing technology and helping save paper (the move is expected to save up to 3 lakh A4 papers every year).
And now, airlines are gearing up to enable check-in via electronic boarding passes sent directly to their phones.
“SITA, an air transport communications and IT solutions provider, is in talks with airlines and other agencies concerned for implementation of their PassengerWeb check-in application that allows people to check-in via electronic boarding passes sent directly to their phones. The PassengerWeb check-in application allows passengers to download their boarding passes onto their mobile phones by visiting a secure link that is e-mailed to them after booking a flight. [source]
Hopefully such initiatives will help airlines control their staff cost and in turn, one would expect them to pass on the benefit to customers. And while we are on this topic, important to note that Kingfisher Airlines has decided to move out of low cost airlines business, owing to price sensitivity and competitiveness of the industry.
Can Internet come to airline’s rescue?
Also see: From 2012 Onwards, CBSE To Conduct Examination Online
