The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has announced a global standard that enables travelers to check in for a flight using two-dimensional (2D) bar codes. With the new technology, mobile phone check-ins can send 2D bar codes directly to a passenger’s mobile phone, personal digital assistant or smart phone.

2010 is the deadline set by the industry to implement 100 percent bar coded boarding passes (BCBP). BCBP will save the industry over US$500 million annually upon full implementation.

 A 2D standard for paper bar coded passes was established in 2005 and is the basis for web check-in. Airlines all over the world can issue and accept both the standards.

Giovanni Bisignani, IATA’s Director General and CEO said in company news release, “Passengers want the convenience of self-service options in a paperless environment. This standard is an important step in getting rid of paper that bogs down processes and drives up costs. The creation of a standard code is only part of the solution. In the next months we will be working with our members to develop standardized processes and guidelines that facilitate global implementation.”

At the time of booking, a passenger will simply register their mobile number with the airline. They will then get a text message with a 2D bar code or instructions to download it and can then use the bar code as a boarding pass which will be read by the screen of the mobile device.