Gulf Business Machines (GBM), IBM’s general marketing and services representative for the Gulf signed a contract with Gulf Air to install self-service check-in kiosks at selected locations in the airline’s network.
Signed at GITEX 2002, the deal will make Gulf Air the first Middle East airline to implement the automated service. Bahrain, Abu Dhabi and Muscat International Airports will be the first to receive the service, scheduled to be fully operational by next year.
The kiosks, which will operate alongside traditional check-in desks, use touch-screen technology to ensure a simplified process for passengers checking in with hand luggage in the first phase, thereby reducing queuing times and providing a range of benefits for the business traveler. It will also allow passengers to directly control their assigned seating.
Gulf Air is the national carrier of Bahrain, Oman, Abu Dhabi and Qatar. As a part of major recovery plans, the airline is embarking on a change strategy to enable it to regain its position as the Gulf’s leading airline. Core focuses of the strategy are on streamlining administration and creating greater efficiencies with particular attention to customer service and product enhancements.
GBM is an information technology (IT) solutions and service provider for technology requirements of local, regional and international businesses and governments in the Gulf countries except Saudi Arabia. The company's portfolio of IT solutions and services are in affiliation with the IBM community as well as a number of international business partners. — (menareport.com)
© 2002 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
