About The Client
The client is an award-winning national carrier and one of the fastest growing airlines in the world, currently serving 83 destinations across North America, Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, the Indian subcontinent and the Far East. The airline operates a fleet of approximately 70 Airbus and Boeing aircraft and expects this to increase to 110 aircraft by 2013.

Client Challenge
To meet the challenges of the highly cost-competitive travel business, the airline recognized the need for self-service solutions that could reduce operations costs while offering passengers more choice and control over the entire travel process. The airline had to zero-in on an online check-in solution that would significantly improve terminal operations efficiency by reducing airport congestion and infrastructure costs and also make way for optimum utilization of the airline staff. Given the lack of flexibility of expensive ready-made product solutions, the client decided to go for a custom built solution, tailored to its business processes and technical requirements. As domain specialists and technology experts, IBS was identified as the ‘right fit’ for developing such a solution.

IBS Solution
The airline partnered with IBS and quickly rolled out a web check-in solution, leveraging on IBS’ proprietary aiCHECK framework. aiCHECK, IBS’ airline web check-in framework, is a generic Java EE framework which addresses the business processes of web and mobile check-in. The aiCHECK framework has provisions for ready interface with external systems by means of Web Services or XML structured messages. The framework also has various generic APIs’ required for online check-in from other self service channels such as mobile/kiosk. The customized web check-in solution developed by IBS enables passengers to check-in from any location - 24 /7. IBS was responsible for end-to-end management of the application development and implementation processes.IBS web check-in solution provides all check-in functions such as passenger identification, view itineraries, baggage handling, seat assignment, and printing of IATA 2D bar coded boarding passes. The web check-in solution also meets varied travel needs such as group check-in, through check-in, undo-check-in, add/update frequent flyer details and send electronic boarding pass to mobile phone via SMS. It supports check-in for staff duty/rebate travel. IBS solution also captures APIS information to meet the border security requirements. The web check-in solution communicates with Amadeus RTB, the airline’s DCS using an XML connector component developed by IBS. The system also interfaces with the airline’s Frequent Flyer system to update FQTV details. The check-in process is controlled by an intelligent rules engine, which allows configuration of various check-in parameters. This rules engine allows for changes to business rules and offers flexibility to meet changing airline business processes.

Technologies Used

• RDBMS : Oracle 10g Server
• HTTP Server : IBM HTTP Server
• Application Server : IBM Websphere 6.1
• Messaging Middleware : IBM Websphere MQ Series V6.0
• Dynamic HTML for web-clients : JSP2.0 and JSTL
• Enterprise Technology and Framework : J2EE 1.4, Spring2.0
• Persistence API  : Hibernate 3
• Reporting Tool : Business Objects

Business Benefits

• Improved passenger satisfaction through quick and easy Passenger Check-In, avoiding long airport queues and delays at check-in desks
• Improve terminal operations efficiency through reduced airport congestion and optimal allocation and utilization of airport staff
• Control operational costs through reduction in airport resources and airline staff
• Higher throughput for online check-in compared to agent check-in and thus achieve improved productivity