Fact Sheet: Bar Coded Boarding Passes (BCBP)

Definition:

• A bar coded boarding pass contains an industry standard bar code (IATA Resolution 792). It replaces magnetic stripe boarding passes and can hold information for multiple segments and multiple carriers in one single boarding pass.

Target:

• 60% BCBP capability by end 2009
• 100% BCBP capability by end 2010

Benefits:

• Customer:
  • Boarding passes can be printed at home (web check-in)
  • Paperless boarding pass (mobile check-in)
  • One boarding document for the entire journey
• Airline:
  • Home printed or mobile boarding passes reduce paper costs by 100%
  • 40% reduction in equipment replacement costs (magnetic stripe encoding equipment can cost up to US$5,000/unit)
  • Reduced airport facility requirements as more passengers check-in at home or office or mobile

Status:

• To date, 80% of boarding passes are 2D bar code capable.

Cost Savings:

• 100% BCBP will bring annual industry savings of up to US$1.5 billion
• Average saving is US$3.50 per passenger home check-in
  • Without baggage US$5.34 per home check-in

Updated November 2009