Hong Kong International (HKIA) has launched a new Smartphone Express Bag Drop Service, which it says will reduce the amount of time it takes customers to drop their bags at the airport.
The service builds on HKIA’s Flight Token technology, which allows passengers to complete online check-in and scan their travel documents with their smartphones before heading to the airport.
Customers can now proceed directly to the Express Bag Drop counters and use their smartphones to deposit their luggage “in under one minute”.
The airport says this is a significant reduction on the average of three minutes its takes to drop bags at airline counters of Smart Check-in kiosks.
The service is available to all HK Express passengers, as well as Cathay Pacific customers travelling to all destinations except the US.
It is expected to roll out to Hong Kong Airlines passengers by the end of the year, with plans to extended it to more airlines in the future.
All passengers aged 11 years or above and travelling on a visa-free journey can use Flight Token with their electronic travel documents, including:
- Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) passports issued after 14 May 2019
- Mainland Travel Permits for Hong Kong and Macao Residents (commonly known as the “Home Return Permits”)
- Electronic passports issued by all other countries or regions
- Mainland residents’ Exit-Entry Permits for Travelling to and from Hong Kong and Macao with valid endorsements for visit
HKIA said it is the only airport in the world “where passengers are able to complete all departure procedures using only their smartphones and facial recognition technology, including online check-in, travel document verification, bag drop, entering the security area, and boarding through self-service”.
The Smartphone Express Bag Drop Service is the latest technology introduced by HKIA to ease the customer’s journey through the airport – last year it opened an “autonomous convenience store”, enabling customers to purchase items without having to go through the traditional checkout experience.
Commenting on the news Chris Au Young, general manager, innovation and data insights of Airport Authority Hong Kong, said:
“Flight Token is the world’s first service that applies facial recognition technology to complete the entire departure process at the airport. Since its full implementation in 2022, it has won numerous accolades from local and international organisations.
The Smartphone Express Bag Drop Service, as an extended service of Flight Token, was just launched in collaboration with airlines, delivering to passengers an even more convenient and efficient departure experience.
“We will continue to work with our business partners to develop and adopt different technological and innovative solutions to further enhance our services and operational efficiency as part of our Smart Airport’ journey.”
