Passengers departing from Changi Airport can now look forward to a speedier and more flexible check-in experience as Changi Airport Group (CAG) partners Singapore Airlines and its regional wing, SilkAir on their Fast and Seamless Travel (FAST) check-in trial in Terminal 2.
The trial will build up to a full suite of FAST options in 2016, giving passengers of both airlines more choices for check-in as well as faster processing through the automated check-in kiosks and bag drops.
Passengers travelling on Singapore Airlines and SilkAir flights from Terminal 2 can use any of the 24 check-in kiosks. Another 24 kiosks will be introduced in Terminal 3 subsequently.
This is a change in policy for Singapore Airlines as they started to remove check-in kiosks at Changi in 2011 as passengers preferred to use internet check-in.
The change since then is that check-in kiosks now do more than check-in, in particular self tagging.
And self tagging leads to self bag drop.
And both concepts mean a reduction in costs for the airline.
How it works
For passengers with baggage to check in, FAST check-in uses the two-step process.
Step 1: Passengers get their boarding pass and bag tags at the kiosks and attach the tags.
Step 2: Once they have tagged their bags, passengers drop them off at the bag drop counters.
There are instructional videos, signs and staff on ground to guide passengers on this process.
Passengers with carry-on bags only may print their boarding passes at the kiosks and proceed directly to Departure Immigration. Alternatively, passengers who have done online or mobile check-in may also skip the counters and proceed to Departure Immigration with their home-printed or mobile phone boarding passes (offered on selected itineraries).
Based on past trials conducted by CAG, 97% of passengers polled indicated that they were satisfied with the FAST check-in experience and would consider using it again.
The entire FAST check-in sequence – including printing of boarding pass and bag tags, together with tagging and baggage drop off – can be done in a matter of minutes.
Mr Jayson Goh, CAG’s Senior Vice President for Airport Operations Management, said:
“The adoption of FAST initiatives is in line with a wider global push towards self-service options at airports to improve productivity and efficiency, while at the same time providing passengers with greater flexibility and convenience. CAG is pleased to partner Singapore Airlines and SilkAir on the FAST journey and will work closely with the airlines to continuously refine the process where necessary, so as to bring about a greater travel experience for our passengers.”
Mr Tan Pee Teck, Singapore Airlines Senior Vice President Product & Services, said:
“We welcome the new FAST initiatives, which will streamline the check-in process for our customers. This reflects our ongoing efforts to offer customers more options and improve their travel experience with us.”
Mr Goh Boon Hwee, SilkAir’s Vice President Operations, said:
“We are pleased to see the introduction of the various FAST initiatives to our customers, which will provide them with a more seamless check-in experience and contribute to the overall enhancement of our customers’ journey with us.”
Singapore Airlines removes check-in kiosks at Changi
Singaporeair.com FAQ
Our internet and mobile check-in options which can be done up to 48 hours before departure, have gained popularity over time. Since kiosk check-in is only available at the airport, kiosk usage has seen a steady decrease over the years.
Modified: 12-May-2014
ACM at the airport
Our Internet and mobile check-in options which can be done up to 48 hours before departure, have gained popularity over time. Since kiosk check-in is only available at the airport, kiosk usage has seen a steady decrease over the years.
Modified: 24-October-2011
N.B. Image credit: changiairport.com