Check-in fee plans ‘up in the air’
Plans to charge airline passengers checking in at customer desks rather than using new technology has been postponed by Jetstar out of concern from advocates for the elderly and disability groups. But despite delaying plans, the fee charge of about $10 will be in place early next year.
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Plans to charge airline passengers checking in at customer desks rather than using new technology has been postponed by Jetstar out of concern from advocates for the elderly and disability groups.
But despite delaying plans, the fee charge of about $10 will be in place early next year.
Claiming it would “speed up” the check-in process, Jetstar’s Australia and New Zealand chief executive, David Hall, tells Sydney Morning Herald increasing technology use at the airline, such as offering iPads to customers as in-flight entertainment, will help them to “stay ahead of competitors”.
“There will be a charge but we haven’t implemented that,” Mr Hall confirms.
“We are working it through to consider the interests of special needs and our elderly passengers. It is making sure that everyone has the choice of how they check in. There’s no real urgency to do it,” he adds.
There are concerns Jetstar will implement the fee charge as early as January, with Australian Services Union national secretary, Linda White, suggesting their members raised the issue out of concern for people with disabilities and those that are aged.
To read DPS News’ earlier story on Jetstar’s check-in fee fiasco, click here.
