Wednesday 24th April saw Birmingham Airport welcome the one millionth passenger to use the Self-Service Bag Drop (SSBD) – automated self-service bag drop technology officially launched across the airport in January 2018.
Designed to reduce passenger check in times, SSBD allows passengers to print bag tags and boarding passes and inject their bag into the baggage system using a simple, customer friendly user interface. The SSBD service has decreased queue times while increasing customer satisfaction and providing an improved customer experience. SSBD allows staff to support passengers who might need assistance elsewhere as well as reducing the overall check-in time by providing additional points where customers can self-serve.
Chris Wilson, Head of Capacity & Performance at Birmingham Airport said: “We are always looking into ways make our passengers’ journeys as seamless as possible. This is something which is not only important from the very moment a passenger enters our terminal doors, but also to the very moment they leave.
“This is especially significant as more than ever, passengers are looking for ways to enable them to control their own travel experience. Whether this be through apps where many airlines allow passengers to check in prior to reaching the airport for example, or through using systems like the ePassport gates providing an automated route through the UK Border.”
At the bag drop point, passengers place their bag on the scales to start. They are then prompted to scan their boarding pass where a set of instructions are displayed on the screen on how to check in their bags. Each bag tag will have any details of connecting flights, priority or heavy bag information automatically printed, along with a receipt at the end of the transaction.
Anna Rusted, TUI UK’s Director of Operations said: “We are very excited that a TUI customer is the one millionth passenger to check-in using the Self Service Bag Drop at Birmingham Airport. Our bag drops are very popular with our customers who can enjoy the benefits of easy to operate technology allowing them a quick and smooth check-in process. Working with Birmingham Airport we aim to deliver an effortless airport experience for all customers flying with TUI.”
The airport has 61 SSBD kiosks available in total, with 52 that allow passengers to print boarding cards and check-in, and nine that also allow them to inject their bag. Airlines which use the service currently include TUI, Jet2, Aer Lingus, Ryanair, Thomas Cook and Flybe.
