Canada’s Halifax Stanfield International has become the first airport in North America to offer a complete self-serve check-in system for all air travelers.
Now, all passengers select their own seats and tag their own luggage regardless of the airline they are traveling with after the new system officially went live on Friday.
Airport officials said it took 18 months to fully install the $45million project.
Michael Healy, vice-president of infrastructure and commercial development at the airport says other airports in Canada are planning fully automated check-in systems similar to Halifax.
"It’s the wave of the future," Healy said.
"Trials are going on in several of the other airports now and Calgary is building a new terminal which will use a similar model when they open in 2015."
Healy also responded to some travelers’concerns that the automated system will lead to job cuts and fewer passenger service staff on duty.
"My understanding from talking to airlines is their staffing levels haven’t changed much and agents are assisting the passengers with the process more so than sitting behind desks."
Travelers departing from Halifax are being asked to print tickets in advance to make the check-in process as simple and speedy as possible.
