CATHAY PACIFIC OFFERS SELF-SERVICE "CXpress" MULTI-PURPOSE KIOSK

Cathay Pacific Airways today officially launched its new CXpress multi-purpose kiosks at Hong Kong International Airport, the In-town Check-in in central Hong Kong, and Taipei's international airport. The metallic grey kiosks - which look like high-tech bank cash dispenser machines - are another first for the airline allowing passengers to collect tickets, select seats and check themselves in, and collect their boarding passes and lounge invitations. The CXpress kiosks will also advise passengers with hold baggage exactly which counter to hand in their luggage. Passengers who have already checked in online through the airline's Website can use the new kiosk to collect their boarding passes thus completing the whole airport process in cyberspace.

Cathay Pacific Director Service Delivery Robert Cutler was the very first passenger to use the CXpress kiosk in Hong Kong to issue his boarding pass for a flight to Tokyo. He said: "When, like me, you are in a hurry - but know exactly what you want - the CXpress kiosks are definitely the quickest way to go. Cathay Pacific is pushing ahead with these e-Business products despite this difficult period for the airline industry because they offer clear advantages both for our passengers and our company."

The kiosks offer travellers the advantage of bypassing any queues during busy periods and allow Cathay Pacific staff to concentrate on giving more personal attention to passengers who require extra help at the counters. The CXpress kiosks are an important piece in the jigsaw of Cathay Pacific online services which includes online booking, Online Check-In, a Downloadable Timetable, and notiFLY Flight Paging.

In addition to allowing passengers to select their seats and check themselves in the CXpress kiosk can issue tickets that passengers have purchased via the airline's Website, or on the phone through its reservation offices in Hong Kong or Taipei. CXpress is also open to all Asia Miles and Marco Polo Club members (whose membership must be listed with their reservation) plus any companions under the same booking reference. Passengers using PhoneCheck and those with either e-Tickets or ATB-format (paper with magnetic strip) tickets can also use the kiosk.

CXpress can also print itineraries, and supply customers with details of the latest "hot offers" and relevant destination information. The multi-purpose touch-screen kiosks will offer a logical expansion route to offer passengers even more electronic services in the future - in line with Cathay Pacific's vision as Asia's leading e-Business airline.