Bar-Coded Boarding Passes (BCBP) Implementation guide - IATA

Introduction
Figure 3 - Welcome page of the StB Knowledge Base
2.3. About Bar Coded Boarding Pass
The IATA Board of Governors’ mandate for 100% BCBP by end 2010 defines the time frame for
an industry shift to greater efficiencies and improved customer convenience.
2.3.1. Facts and figures
BCBP drivers are proven and low cost technologies that enable the development of web services
for passenger check-in.
BCBP is the industry standard method of producing boarding passes, replacing all other
boarding passes. IATA estimates that web check-in will save airlines about US$3.50 per
checked-in passenger. 100% BCBP will amount to up to US$1.5 billion in annual industry
savings.
BCBP naturally follows the implementation of ET. The ATB format and magnetic stripes are
linked to the paper version of the ticket. As the paper ticket disappears, BCBP provides a more
effective and flexible solution, adapted to ET. With the elimination of ATBs for tickets, the cost of
maintaining printers and readers only for boarding passes is dramatically increased. BCBP
printers and readers can cost as little as 1/3 of ATB equipment. ATB stocks with a magnetic
stripe are no longer needed: at up to $50 per thousand, they are much more expensive than
plain paper.
Bar Coding is a mature technology. Bar codes have been used successfully in other industries
(e.g. consumer goods, parcels transport) for more than 20 years.
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