SpiceJet, India’s favourite low-cost carrier, has yet again raised the bar for customer experience by offering - ‘Self Bag Drop’ (SBD) at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji domestic airport. Through this initiative, the first by a budget airline in Mumbai, SpiceJet aims to provide its customers with a seamless baggage check-in process that saves them from the hassles of standing in long queues at check-in desks.
Customers flying with SpiceJet can now simply check-in their baggage at the self-service kiosks themselves up to 45 minutes prior to the departure time. On the easy-to-use application, developed using a sophisticated, intuitive Graphical User Interface (GUI), with just a few clicks, a passenger can print his bag tags along with the baggage receipt. All he needs to do then is attach the baggage tag and drop the bag themselves at the baggage drop belt.
The bag drop counter equipped completely with scanners, scales and sensors to accept all kinds of bags. It will automatically check flight data, baggage weight and size allowances before securely depositing the bag into the baggage handling system. In case of excess baggage, the same will be prompted through the machine and the customer will then need to go to the nearest customer service agent and ask them for assistance.
Ms. Glory Nelson – Sr. Vice President – IT, SpiceJet Ltd. said, “Innovation and customer experience has always been at the centre of the scheme of things at SpiceJet. The SBD feature will categorically improve efficiency in handling passenger flow thus providing them with many options available at airport. Service features as these will have a far-reaching impact enabling airlines to serve higher punctuality and increased capacity among others at lower operational costs while offering the end customers with a hassle free travel experience.”
The feature radically reduces the time needed for baggage check-in while providing the most convenient on-ground service for passengers by Common Use Baggage Check-in systems. Independent of counter opening hours passengers can simply drop-off their luggage easily by themselves, without having to wait in long queues. Besides faster baggage drop-off and shorter passenger queues, the service is expected to reduce training costs while offering flexibility in staff employment.
Mr. Rajeev Jain, Chief Executive Officer, Mumbai International Airport Pvt Ltd (MIAL) said, “With the ever increasing load factors, the self-service bag drop solution by SpiceJet will enhance passenger experience, reduce queues and thus save time. This new facility will enable passengers travelling through SpiceJet experience the most innovative state-of-the-art technology and simultaneously increase the operational efficiencies. With Self bag drop, we have achieved yet another milestone for a seamless travel experience to passengers.”
The service is currently live at the domestic terminals of Mumbai SpiceJet is equipped to embrace this technology if this is available on other airports.