Spanair Mobile Check-in System Celebrates First Anniversary of Technology Innovation
Mobile check-in has landed in airports across Spain following the introduction of a paperless ticketing service by Spanish carrier Spanair Airlines. Paper boarding passes can now be replaced by an electronic 2D barcode received via MMS and stored by the passenger’s mobile phone. The system is enabled by NeoMedia Technologies, which has to date installed its EXIO scanners in eleven Spanish airports. The scanners read the 2D codes on the phones at the airport terminal check-in desks and security points.
With the widespread installation of the streamlined and convenient service across Spanish airports, Spanair has forecast that 800,000 2D barcode mobile tickets will be issued in 2009 - some ten per cent of its total ticketing transactions.
Spanair was the first airline in Spain to offer its passengers mobile check-in, following the publication by IATA of a mobile boarding standard based on two-dimensional codes. The technology was piloted in the airports of Bilbao, Madrid and Barcelona, initiating a service that could save the airline industry up to $500 million each year.
Earlier this year industry analysts Juniper Research estimated that transport-based mobile ticketing will grow from 37.4 million transactions in 2007 to just over 1.8 billion by 2011, with some 2.6 billion mobile tickets in total being issued by 2011 to 208 million mobile phone users. “Our mobile check-in system is proving to be the fastest way to get on the plane in Spain. It’s innovative, efficient and offers great benefits in terms of both time and convenience - advantages that are particularly appreciated by our business customers,” said Sergio Allard, Chief Commercial Officer, Spanair.
“This is a fantastic success story that underlines the simplicity and elegance of the mobile 2D barcode,” said Iain McCready, CEO of NeoMedia. “Implementing mobile ticketing expands Spanair’s customer service offering in an innovative way and increases customer convenience significantly - it’s a win/win scenario. NeoMedia’s scanners can be integrated into many different systems and used for a wide variety of mobile CRM solutions (ticketing, couponing, loyalty) and payment systems. With the mobile device increasingly used as a tool for business, it makes absolute sense to utilise it in as many ways as possible to streamline services for both business and consumer users.”
About NeoMedia Technologies
NeoMedia Technologies, Inc. (OTCBB:NEOM) is the global leader in mobile barcode scanning solutions. Our technology allows mobile devices with cameras to read 1D and 2D barcodes and provide “one click” access to mobile content. Combining this technology with advanced analytics and reporting capabilities revolutionizes the way advertisers market to mobile consumers. NeoMedia provides the infrastructure to make 2D camera barcode scanning and its associated commerce easy, universal, and reliable - worldwide.
The company’s mobile phone technology, NeoReader, reads and transmits data from 1-D, and 2-D barcodes to its intended destination. Our Code Management and Code Clearinghouse platforms create, connect, record, and transmit the transactions embedded in the 1-D and 2-D barcodes, like web-URLs, text messages (SMS), and telephone calls, ubiquitously and reliably. NeoMedia provides the industrial and carrier-grade infrastructure to enable reliable, scalable, and billable commerce. NeoMedia was founded in 1989, and is based in Atlanta, USA. It currently has 30 active patents spanning 13 countries, with 29 additional patents pending.
Spanair
Spanair was founded in 1986 and since April 2003 it has been part of the Star Alliance, a global network of the world's largest and most prestigious airlines.
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. With the exception of historical information contained herein, the matters discussed in this press release involve risk and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statement.
Contacts:
NeoMedia
Vivian Kelly
T: +1 703-860-0577
E:
viviankelly (at) interprosepr.com
Spanair
Corporate
Communications Department
Ana Martín-Pintado
+34 971 74 51 70
+34
618 256 984
