Russian airport to start Skype check-ins for flights

Moscow's Sheremetyevo International Airport is allowing passengers to check-in for their flights using Skype.

The program, which the airport says is the first of its kind in the world, works along similar lines to Internet check-ins. Passengers call the airport using its Skype user name and are asked for their last name, flight information and to show their passport. Once the formalities are out of the way, passengers can print out a boarding pass. The airport expects 15 to 20 percent of passengers to use the service, which serves some 20 airlines flying into the airport.

"The main problem [for traditional Internet check-in] is lack of communication with a real person, as a passenger is afraid to do something wrong," said an aiport officials. "Here you will have straight communications, so there will be no fear during registration."

The airport said Skype will be available for check-in at Transaero, Air Astana, Royal Air Maroc, China Eastern Airlines, Estonian Air, Hainan Airlines, Hong Kong Airlines, Iran Air, Jat Airways, Turkish Airlines and other carriers.

European regulators recently approved Microsoft's (Nasdaq: MSFT) acquisition of the popular free VoIP provider.

For more:
- see this WSJ article

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