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LONDON, Jan 17 (Reuters) - Richard Branson's Virgin Atlantic Airways launched self-service and online check-ins on Monday and said it expects half of its passengers, or two million people, to use the new facilities within two years.
One of the first among long-haul carriers to introduce the new facilities, Virgin said it was setting up self-service kiosks at London's Heathrow Airport as well as online check-ins aimed at speeding up the process.
Virgin is spending 1.5 million pounds ($2.8 million) on the new system but does not expect substantial cost-savings from the move.
Virgin Chairman Richard Branson also reiterated the airline hoped to employ 3,000 new staff over the next 12-18 months.
"We have vast expansion plans, so we are looking for people," Branson told reporters at Heathrow Airport.
He also said there were no current plans to remove fuel surcharges introduced last year.
Virgin, which aims to double the size of its fleet in 5 years, is 49 percent owned by Singapore Airlines Ltd and 51 percent by Branson.
REUTERS
One of the first among long-haul carriers to introduce the new facilities, Virgin said it was setting up self-service kiosks at London's Heathrow Airport as well as online check-ins aimed at speeding up the process.
Virgin is spending 1.5 million pounds ($2.8 million) on the new system but does not expect substantial cost-savings from the move.
Virgin Chairman Richard Branson also reiterated the airline hoped to employ 3,000 new staff over the next 12-18 months.
"We have vast expansion plans, so we are looking for people," Branson told reporters at Heathrow Airport.
He also said there were no current plans to remove fuel surcharges introduced last year.
Virgin, which aims to double the size of its fleet in 5 years, is 49 percent owned by Singapore Airlines Ltd and 51 percent by Branson.
REUTERS
