Friday, 7 December 2007

NeoMedia Implements Mobile Ticketing

NeoMedia Technologies has implemented mobile ticketing for Spanair Airlines converting its current system to allow for completely paperless ticketing which is highly cost efficient for check-in and boarding procedures.

The technology, which will be tested in two Spanish airports, will be replacing electronic 2D code that can be read directly from the passenger's mobile phone display. Passengers of Spanair will not be able to use their mobile phone for check-in and as a data carrier for plane tickets.

During the test phase, passengers will receive a mobile ticket in the form of a 2D code on their mobile phone. NeoMedia's Gavitec EXIO scanners have been installed to read the 2D codes at airport terminals in Madrid and Bilbao. After the scan, passengers will receive a paper ticket, which contains flight information in the form of a PDF417 code.

In the rollout, check-in and boarding processes will be entirely paperless. Passengers will receive a 2D code on their mobile phones, which would function both as ticket and boarding pass. This code is scanned at security and at the boarding gate and is validated via an online database.

The IATA "International Air Transportation Association" will institute 2D codes as well. In 2008 classical magnetic stripes on boarding passes that hold passenger data, will be replaced by 2D codes.