Chopin Airport introduces new ‘safe gates’ to speed up boarding pass control

Warsaw Chopin Airport has launched new gate readers to automate and fasten boarding pass control via printed and digital boarding passes.

Chopin is the first airport in Poland to introduce the readers which will speed up boarding pass control with passenger comfort and safety at its focus. According to Chopin Airport, all checked-in passengers will proceed past the readers to enter the security control zone and then the duty-free in a smooth and safe manner. Previously, boarding pass control was performed manually by Konsalnet employees; the system is now fully automatic.

The safe gates will prohibit passengers from attempting to go through in the opposite direction – an alarm will activate should this occur. The system offers a throughput of 15 people per minute, with three gates for economy passengers and one for business travellers in each of the two departure areas. There is also a special entry for older, disabled and reduced mobility passengers, as well as those travelling with small children.

Jan Gołąb, Passenger Processes and Service Quality specialist at Chopin Airport, commented on the installation: “The passenger has to touch his or her boarding pass against the reader and if everything’s fine, the gate will open. If the boarding pass is invalid or wrong, access will not be allowed. The gates can read both printed boarding passes and those on mobile phones and tablets.”

Radosław Paruzel, Deputy Director of Warsaw Chopin Airport, added: “Passengers around the world can increasingly rely on self-service solutions for check-in and pre-flight controls. Such innovative technologies as automated boarding pass scanners help boost the airport’s capacity, while at the same time lowering its operating costs. This makes air travel easier and cheaper.”