Travellers departing from Hong Kong International Airport can now drop-off their bags using their smartphones

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The processing time will be shortened from the current average of three minutes to under a minute.

Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) has announced the launch of a pioneering Smartphone Express Bag Drop Service.

Travellers can now drop their bags by themselves with their smartphones at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA), instead of going through the procedure at the airline counters or Smart Check-in Kiosks.

This facility allows passengers to complete online check-in and scan their travel documents with their smartphones before heading to the airport. Upon arrival at HKIA, they can proceed directly to the Express Bag Drop counters and drop their bags by themselves using their smartphones.

It is estimated that with the introduction of this service, the processing time will be shortened from the current average of three minutes to under a minute.

The new service is an extended development of HKIA’s Flight Token smart technology. Being the first in the world, passengers are able to complete all departure procedures using only their smartphones and facial recognition technology at HKIA, including online check-in, travel document verification, bag drop, entering the security area, and boarding through self-service.

Express Bag Drop Service, as well as Flight Token, are applicable to all passengers aged 11 or above, who are travelling:

• on a visa-free journey;
• with their electronic travel documents, including:
  
  • Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) passports issued after 14 May 2019,
  • Mainland Travel Permits for Hong Kong and Macao Residents (commonly known as the “Home Return Permits”),
  • electronic passports issued by all other countries or regions, or
  • Mainland residents’ Exit-Entry Permits for Travelling to and from Hong Kong and Macao with valid endorsements for visit.

Currently, all HK Express passengers, as well as Cathay Pacific passengers for all destinations except the United States, can use the airline’s app for the Smartphone Express Bag Drop Service.

Hong Kong Airlines expects to provide the service by the end of this year. AAHK plans to extend this service to more airlines.

Chris Au Young, General Manager, Innovation & Data Insights of AAHK, stated, "The Smartphone Express Bag Drop Service was just launched in collaboration with airlines, delivering to passengers an even more convenient and efficient departure experience.

“We will continue to work with our business partners to develop and adopt different technological and innovative solutions to further enhance our services and operational efficiency as part of our Smart Airport’ journey.”

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Image / Hong Kong International Airport's website