AIS to Offer Fast Airport Check-in

AIS to Offer Fast Airport Check-in
The Nation, Thailand

Published on Nov 11, 2003


The 13 million subscribers of leading cell-phone service provider Advanced
Info Service (AIS) will soon be able to enjoy an express airport check-in
service by sending a short text message from their phones.

A source close to AIS said the company was working with Thai Airways
International (THAI) on the project.

“The system will allow passengers to send a short text message to confirm
their check-in at any local airport, so they don’t need to arrive two or
three hours before departure,” the source said.

When an AIS customer arrives at the airport, he or she can just produce
their password and be whisked through a special lane, the source said.

Due to an increasingly competitive, but stagnating cell phone market, AIS
has come up with a series of promotions and customer services to retain
its market dominance.

The latest promotion comes in addition to an existing offer with THAI
allowing the carrier’s 13 million users to buy THAI air tickets on
specified routes at a 10 per cent discount over the next three months.

“We’re in the process of assigning numbers to our customers. When they
send a short text message to the numbers, they will receive a password
allowing them to buy tickets at the discount rate,” said the source.

The routes included in the programme are Bangkok to Chiang Rai, Chiang
Mai, Pitsanuloke and Mae Hong Son.

The discount also applies to new routes to Luang Prabang in Laos and
Rangoon, added AIS executive vice president Kritsanan Ngampatipong.

A telecom industry source pointed out that the move by AIS coincides with
negotiations between its parent firm Shin Corp Plc, founded by Prime
Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, and Thailand-based budget airline Air Asia
Aviation for a 51 per cent controlling stake worth Bt500 million.


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