Isavia and Amadeus partner on check-in and baggage solutions for Keflavík Airport
This creates an opportunity for closer collaboration between the airport and the airlines operating there, which will result in significant improvements to the passenger experience.
Examples include the introduction of electronic payments and new self-service check-in and bag drop, which will provide greater flexibility for passengers.
By moving from an older, integrated software environment to Amadeus Flow — a single end-to-end cloud solution covering all aspects of passenger processing — Isavia will be able to retire its current systems and run its passenger services entirely in the cloud. This means that airlines can now offer options such as off-airport check-in and baggage tag printing, with services available at key locations such as city centres, transport hubs, or hotels.
All passenger service points at Keflavík Airport will transition to Amadeus's cloud solution, including more than 130 check-in desks along with 50 new self-service check-in kiosks and 25 new automated bag drop units from ICM Airport Technics, an Amadeus-owned company.
As the technology service provider for Keflavík Airport and its largest operating airline, Icelandair, Amadeus is planning a range of upgrades that will enhance the cooperation between both companies in day-to-day operations. For instance, Amadeus's baggage messaging system will be deployed at Keflavík Airport. Icelandair already uses this system, so both the airline and the airport will now work with the same data provider, which will result in improved baggage handling.
"The core of this project is about having the flexibility for closer cooperation with the airlines we work with so that we can offer passengers a better experience. A good example of this is payments. We have wanted to be able to meet travellers' requests to accept payments at check-in for some time." - Bjarni Sigurðsson, Head of User Services at Isavia
"Since the vast majority of passengers passing through Keflavík Airport fly with airlines that use Amadeus systems, this project can offer countless innovations in the passenger experience. We intend to go further than before in technical cooperation between airlines and airports, and all parties involved intend to test, learn, and deliver better journeys. Operating on a shared cloud service opens up opportunities for numerous innovations in passenger services." - Yannick Beunardeau, Vice President, Airport IT and Airline Operations, EMEA, at amadeus
The tender process for check-in and baggage solutions began in early 2021, and the outcome was finalised at the beginning of this year. The migration to the new system is already underway, but the transition to Amadeus Flow will take place in stages. Around Easter, the replacement of workstations at check-in desks and gates will begin. The first kiosks are expected in May, and the self-service bag drop units will follow in the autumn.