IATA Promotes Fast Travel Program In China

As part of the International Air Transport Association's Simplifying the Business project, IATA will promote its "Fast Travel" program in China.

According to a memorandum of understanding signed by IATA and China's TravelSky Technology Limited, the two parties will cooperate to promote the development of Fast Travel in China, share information and resources, and implement the Fast Travel plan. Meanwhile, they will jointly hold various seminars and product promotion events about Fast Travel to introduce the project to Chinese airlines and airports, improving the awareness of Fast Travel around the country.

Fast Travel will offer full service to passengers through the platform provided by common use self service kiosks, bar coded boarding passes and 100% e-ticketing, from reservations to arrival, to meet the increasing passenger demands for self-service.

At present, IATA is focusing on six key areas including: check-in using the Internet and mobile phones; bags ready-to-go; document scanning; flight re-booking; self-boarding; and luggage recovery. IATA's aim is to establish two pilots per project by the end of 2008.