German travelers will soon have the option to complete the entire check-in process digitally at airports, leading to shorter waiting times. Speaking to the “Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland” on Wednesday, Federal Minister of Transport Patrick Schnieder (CDU) stated that the change aims to make airport check-in more efficient, noticeably reduce wait times, and facilitate a continuous, secure, and fully digital processing experience, though this will remain voluntary.
To achieve this, the federal government plans to introduce a bill via a cabinet resolution this week. According to Schnieder, the initiative will benefit both travelers and the economy, potentially saving an estimated 1.1 million hours of waiting time annually and providing an economic relief of about 63 million euros each year. Furthermore, the measures are expected to prevent staff shortages during peak travel periods by reducing the need for manual staffing at the gates.
The changes are projected to take effect in the summer. The update will allow aviation companies to utilize data from travel passports or identity cards, particularly the information stored on their chips, for digital check-ins.
Currently, the entire journey through the airport, from check-in to boarding the plane, largely occurs through manual processes. However, the new system is designed to create a consistent digital travel chain. While the digital route is being implemented as part of broader transport efficiency efforts, Schnieder confirmed that the traditional, classic processing methods will still be available.