Jetstar’s world-first SMS boarding solution delivered using Sissit TruMobile Ticketing™ technology

The world-first solution is helping leading low fares carrier Jetstar offer a 100% self-service check-in and boarding experience to all passengers regardless of the mobile phone they are using.

Melbourne, Australia- May 23, 2011

Australian IT innovations company, Sissit Group has today announced that its world-first TruMobile Ticketing™ and Universal Scanner technology is behind successful, low cost carrier, Jetstar’s new SMS check-in and boarding options.

Developed in partnership with Jetstar, Sissit’s Universal Scanner hardware, and TruMobile Ticketing™ software, is deployed in Sissit-built portable boarding kiosks and integrated into IBM-built self-service kiosks, at over 20 airports across Australia and New Zealand.

The SMS TruMobile Ticketing™ platform allows Jetstar’s 14 million passengers annually to board domestic flights quickly and easily by scanning a boarding pass delivered to their mobile phone via plain text SMS.

“We wanted to build a solution that would allow all passengers to enjoy the convenience of a full self- service check in and boarding system, not just those that were savvy on a smart phone,” said Sissit Co-Director Aaron Hornlimann. “SMS is accessible to all age groups, its quick and easy and doesn’t have the dependency on data coverage, which can be problematic especially in the airport environment”.

By simply placing the phone under the scanner at a self-service kiosk with the SMS boarding pass loaded, the optical reader verifies the alphanumeric code and the passenger can quickly confirm their identity, choose their seats, print boarding passes and bag tags, drop off bags at the counter, and proceed straight to their departure gate. Passengers without checked-in baggage can proceed directly to their gate, scan their SMS boarding pass at a Sissit-built boarding kiosk and take their seat.

With research suggesting that only 7% of Australians own data subscribed smartphones, current mobile check-in options offered by other airlines are out of reach for the vast majority of travellers. These figures are echoed internationally with smartphone ownership in the US at only 28% (does not include data subscription) which is on par with the UK, and the highest smart phone penetration being recorded in Spain at 37%. In testing, the universal Scanner has successfully scanned mobile handsets that were in excess of 8 years old, as well as a string of new release handsets.

“These new world-first technologies will make the Jetstar airport experience more convenient, hassle-free and simpler,” said Jetstar CEO Bruce Buchanan. “Retrieving a boarding pass for a domestic flight will now be as simple as receiving a standard text message 24 hours prior to travel and having that SMS message electronically scanned at the gate to produce a boarding pass.”

The benefit is not only being enjoyed by passengers. The carrier has also seen efficiency gains of more than 200 percent with up to 15% improvement in passenger flows at boarding gates. The integration of the SMS ticketing technology has reduced the check-in process to just 12 seconds, as compared to 27 seconds using existing self service options and 65 seconds for a full service check-in.

Existing methods of check-in have also gained from the innovations inclusion. The Sissit Universal Scanner is fully compatible and can read all existing mobile and paper based barcode systems as well as featuring cutting edge RFID and NFC (near-field communication) scanning. This will deliver an even greater user experience and efficiencies in preparation for the next wave of mobile handset and mobile payment platforms.

“We’re really excited about the NFC and RFID based scanning,” said Sissit Co-Director Achilles Tzelepis. “We’ve been very intentional in building that functionality into our product as it’s the next big thing and we’re very proud to be able to offer it as a ticketing and mobile payment option.”

With the industry innovation now rolled out across 140 IBM self-service kiosks and 120 Sissit portable boarding Kiosks, the next phase will see the delivery of a number of smaller, Sissit-built counter top scanners for use at Jetstar service counters for aided check-in.

The TruMobile Ticketing™ platform’s early success within the aviation industry has generated interest from numerous other sectors including events, cinemas, public venues, transport and retail. With a mobile handset compatibility of over 99% and a future-proofed NFC option, it provides a mobile ticketing, promotion and payment platform that will see an enhanced customer experience and operational cost saving delivered across a number of industries.

For more information on Jetstar please visit: http://www.jetstar.com

SISSIT (Victoria, Australia) is a leading mobile technology and integrated systems company that helps service industries achieve greater efficiency and enhanced user experience using mobile ticketing platforms. Awarded a place in the Australian Business Review Top 100 ITC strategic list, Sissit has developed SMS, RFID and Near-field Communication (NFC) ticketing solutions that boast over 99 percent compatibility with yesterdays, today’s and tomorrow’s handsets.

Sissit has recently delivered a world-first SMS-based check-in and boarding options for major Australian airline, Jetstar with a focus on providing a far more accessible and efficient mobile ticketing solution to the aviation industry. The technology will soon be seen across other industries including transport, events, entertainment, public venues and retail.

Contact Information

Myles Tzelepis
Sissit Marketing & Business Development
T: +61 2 8625 0600
M: +61 404 661 093
mylest@sissitgroup.com

Boarding as easy as SMS with Jetstar world first New Zealand selected as launch market for SMS boarding pass technology

9th September 2010
Christchurch

Low fares leader Jetstar has today launched its world-first SMS boarding pass technology in New Zealand, making air travel even more hassle-free and convenient for its Kiwi customers.

New Zealand is the first of Jetstar’s domestic networks to implement the cutting-edge technology, with customers now able to board their domestic flight using unique SMS boarding on their mobile phone via a standard text message when travelling between Auckland and Christchurch, extending to Wellington and Queenstown services in coming weeks.

Whilst for the next month the technology is only available for single passengers travelling without checked bags, the next phase will see the technology extended from next month to include multiple passengers travelling together, such as families, with checked-in luggage.

Jetstar will at the same time expand the technology to the airline’s 18 Australian domestic airports to be fully in place prior to December holiday period.

Jetstar Group CEO Bruce Buchanan said the technology differed from the mobile solutions of other airlines and was a world-first because it was universally compatible with almost all mobile phones, not just high-end WAP or internet enabled devices.

“Customers consistently tell us they want to have greater control over their travel experience and this new world-first SMS boarding pass technology will them save time and effort at the airport” Mr Buchanan said.

“Given more than half of our customers travelling on Jetstar domestic services already use self-service options such as web-check or kiosks, we think the uptake for this additional choice of SMS technology will be extremely strong over time.

“With SMS boarding there will be no more queuing for check-in desks, and no more need to find a home or work computer to print out your boarding pass. Everything you need to board your Jetstar domestic flight can be sent to your mobile through this hassle-free approach.”

How it works:

1. Passengers travelling by themselves and without checked bags book their domestic New Zealand flight at Jetstar.com and will have the option of automatically checking in and having an SMS boarding code delivered to their mobile phone 24 hours before departure.
2. Upon arrival at the airport, passengers proceed directly to the flight departure gate where they present their phone with the SMS boarding code for scanning.
3. A paper boarding receipt will be printed, which will allow them to switch off their phone prior to boarding the aircraft.

Mr Buchanan said New Zealanders embraced new technology and that the country’s high penetration of mobile phones made it an ideal location for Jetstar to launch its SMS boarding technology.

He said choosing New Zealand as the launch market was proof of Jetstar’s commitment to continuing to innovate and invest locally to extend its low fares offering across the country.

“We’re delighted that our New Zealand customers will be the first in the world to use this exciting and secure new mobile phone technology,” Mr Buchanan said.

The ground breaking technology was developed for Jetstar by Melbourne-based company Sissit Group through a research and development initiative.

Media Enquiries:

Editor’s note:

Broadcast quality footage featuring interviews with Jetstar Group CEO Bruce Buchanan, Jetstar employees and passengers using the technology is available upon request from:

Images are also available upon request.

Sissit Group will be at NASSCOM with the Victorian Government delegation to India, Mumbai this year. The aim of the visits is to enter the Indian market and begin to find commercial opportunities for both Sissit and Indian businesses using true mobile ticketing.

Also part of the trip to the Indian NASSCOM leadership forum will be a range of functions hosted by the Victorian government with the aim of connecting Victorian businesses into the ICT sector.

Sissit will also be visiting, Bangalore and New Delhi.

Sissit will be represented by Achilles Tzelpis and Aaron Hornlimann.

Click here to see who else is attending.

USD $3.5 billion deal with International Aero Engines (IAE) signed

Low fares leader Jetstar will set about transforming the check-in experience for its Australian and New Zealand domestic customers during 2010 by unveiling an approach towards 100 per cent customer self service supported by new technology and by maintaining Airport staffing levels.

The proposal builds upon existing customer self service technology now in place for Jetstar’s domestic passenger base including Web Check and Self Service Kiosks at some Airports.

This will be complemented by the introduction of world-first SMS Boarding Pass technology during the first 2010 quarter and automatic Web Check and pre-enrolment for flights at time of booking.

Jetstar Chief Executive Officer Bruce Buchanan announced the airline’s plans during an address to the Low Cost Airlines World Asia Pacific 2010 Conference in Singapore.

In a series of announcements the Pan Asian carrier also secured Agreements valued at up to USD $3.5 billion with the International Aero Engines (IAE) consortium to have the latest V2500 SelectOne™ engine power a new fleet of 50 additional Airbus A320 family aircraft for the Jetstar Group, with options and purchase rights on up to 40 more aircraft.

The major deal, one of the largest in Jetstar’s history, includes an Engine Purchase Agreement valued around USD $1.5 billion if all options and purchase rights are exercised to be distributed amongst the mainline Jetstar fleet based in Australia and New Zealand, as well as with Jetstar Asia/Valuair of Singapore and Jetstar Pacific, based in Vietnam.

A long-term USD $2 billion Aftermarket Services Agreement will cover these new engines and those installed on 40 IAE-powered aircraft that the Jetstar businesses currently operate.

Mr Buchanan said over the term of the Agreements significant savings would be generated and solidified a long term strategic commercial relationship with IAE to help support Jetstar’s continued growth, including its Pan Asian network plans.

“The Agreements reflect Jetstar’s continued focus on cost-competitive outcomes and fostering long term partnerships that help deliver sustainable low fares and growth,” Mr Buchanan said.

Jetstar’s move to help put people back in control of their airport experience during domestic travel will incorporate a more streamlined and hassle-free customer airport experience supported by:

• Doubling the number and footprint of Self-Check Kiosks
• Introduction of world-first SMS boarding pass technology across Jetstar’s domestic Australian & New Zealand ports from March 2010 and fitted to all Jetstar Self-Check Kiosks
• Enhanced web tools such as Automatic Web-Check

Mr Buchanan said the airline’s fresh approach towards allowing its domestic customer base greater choice in self service prior to their travel would balance the efficient application of new technology for air travellers with strong customer service outcomes.

“Through our growing suite of innovative customer facing and new technology applications at Airports we are seeking to ensure that the pre-air travel experience is increasingly convenient, easier and more hassle-free than before,” Mr Buchanan said.

“The approach we are taking is firmly designed around improving, not reducing, the customer service and airport experience at increasingly busy terminals, and of empowering both regular and irregular Jetstar flyers to use the enabling technology to more seamlessly check-in and board our low fare services.”

“This is an extremely positive and exciting step forward for our airline as well as for our employees that will greatly enhance customer service levels.”

“There will be no change in our Airport staffing numbers under this model, meaning our Airport Customer Service personnel can move beyond processes to spend more effective time directly with our customers prior to flying.”

Jetstar passengers who Web-Check for Australian domestic flights will soon be given the option to have their boarding pass and unique boarding code sent to their mobile phone via a standard text SMS message.

The SMS technology has been developed by Melbourne-based company Sissit Group with which Jetstar has a Research and Development arrangement.

Unlike some other airlines who have introduced this technology to WAP (Wireless Application Protocol) or internet enabled handsets, in a global first, any mobile phone will be able to accept the Jetstar boarding pass on a domestic flight via the common text message.

This will allow customers who purchase fares via Jetstar.com to request at the time of booking for the airline to automatically check the passenger(s) in 24 hours prior to their Jetstar flight departure with the boarding pass to then be sent via email or SMS text message.

Mr Buchanan said SMS boarding pass technology would be further trialled on Sydney-Melbourne (Avalon) flights from late February 2010, with a staged roll-out across Jetstar’s domestic Australian and New Zealand networks from March 2010.

He said automatic check-in when purchasing a fare at Jetstar.com had commenced earlier this month.

“Automatic check-in for the airline’s Australian and New Zealand domestic services allows passengers at the time of booking to choose to check-in and have their boarding passes automatically sent to them via email 24-48 hours before flight departure,” Mr Buchanan said.

“The new technology will be further enhanced when SMS boarding pass technology is fully activated, meaning a boarding pass can then be delivered direct to the future passenger’s mobile phone.”

“By introducing applications such as Automatic Web-Check and SMS Boarding Passes, Jetstar saves real costs, which we are able to directly pass on to our customers with our low fares.”