A Dublin-based manufacturer of smart card technologies is expanding its market reach by deploying a smart card service for customers of British Airways that allows users to store value on a store card and use it later in any one of 25 different currencies.
CardBase Technologies, a developer of multi-application smart-card management systems, is applying the latest smart card technology to the internet and to the airline industry’s own SITA network.
The ChipCASH solution enables passengers to store value – such as currency or air miles – on a smart card and cash it in later on any one of 25 different currencies.
The benefit to British Airways is that it enhances internal and external efficiencies by reducing currency fraud and collection costs, delivering improved profitability and customer service levels.
British Airways is one of the first major commercial airlines to respond to EU legislation for passengers denied boarding through overbooking.
CardBase believes the new EU rules will prompt significant demand for its technology among other airlines. Peter Cox, CEO of CardBase’s parent company ID Data plc, commented: “The introduction of this new legislation, while welcomed by passengers, will put additional burdens on already strained airline ground staff and significantly add to airline costs.
“ChipCASH is a totally secure and auditable method of meeting the EU legislation, providing timely management of information both locally and centrally, and avoiding the need for staff to manage cash in limited secure areas. Our experience and success with British Airways over the past five years make us an ideal partner for all airlines operating in Europe,” Cox said.
By John Kennedy
