Monday, August 5, 2024
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Hong Kong Airport Authority has launched the world’s first smartphone-based baggage drop-off service, enabling seamless online check-in and document scanning.
The Airport Authority of Hong Kong (AAHK) has unveiled the world’s first Smartphone Express Bag Drop service, leveraging the innovative Flight Token smart technology.
This advanced service allows passengers to complete online check-in and scan their travel documents using their smartphones before arriving at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA).
Once they arrive at Hong Kong International Airport, passengers can head directly to the Express Bag Drop counters, and drop off their bags in less than a minute using their smartphones, significantly reducing the average processing time from three minutes at traditional airline counters or smart check-in kiosks.
Hong Kong International Airport prides itself on being the only airport in the world where passengers can complete all departure procedures, including online check-in, travel document verification, baggage drop, security screening and boarding, using only their smartphones and facial recognition technology.
Currently, all HK Express passengers can access the Smartphone Express Bag Drop service through the airline’s app. Cathay Pacific offers this service to all destinations except the United States.
Hong Kong Airlines plans to implement the service by the end of the year. Hong Kong Airlines is looking to expand this innovative service to other airlines in the near future.
In Singapore, passengers arriving at Changi Airport can now experience passport-free immigration. Starting August 5, all passengers can use automated immigration, with Singaporeans passing through selected automated lanes in Terminal 3 using only their facial and iris data.
The initiative is part of a trial of a new passport-free customs clearance system, which is set to be gradually rolled out across all Changi Airport terminals by the end of September, and at the Marina Bay Cruise Centre by December.
