Innovative Travel Solutions Closes a Successful 2018 with Global Expansion of BorderExpress and launch of CheckItXpress

Vancouver Airport Authority’s (YVR) Innovative Travel Solutions (ITS) celebrated the end of 2018 with two industry-leading solutions in market to meet the passenger needs of tomorrow: BORDERXPRESS and CHECKITXPRESS.

ITS retained its position as the leading provider of border control kiosks with the expansion of BORDERXPRESS in Cyprus, marking the first kiosks to be implemented for Entry and Exit border control in the European Union. The year also saw the successful launch of CHECKITXPRESS, the world’s most accessible, efficient and intuitive self-service bag drop. ITS takes a holistic approach that goes beyond technology to solve customer processing challenges and improve business performance. With more than a decade of experience in automating border control systems at airports and seaports around the world, ITS delivers better business results through cost efficiencies, time management, maximizing resources and data insights.

“2018 was another successful year for Innovation Travel Solutions as momentum continued to build globally around our industry-leading solution BORDERXPRESS. It was also an exciting year for our team as we celebrated the launch of our new bag drop technology, CHECKITXPRESS,” says Steve Hankinson, vice president, planning and innovation, Vancouver Airport Authority. “I’m proud to be leading this dedicated team of collaborative thinkers. As an airport operator, we have a unique understanding of what it takes to facilitate the movement of travellers efficiently and safely, while also ensuring the passenger experience is seamless.”

2018 Highlights

• At the end of 2018, BORDERXPRESS had processed almost 250 million passengers at 42 airport and seaport locations around the world and had sold over 1,600 kiosks.
• In early 2018, ITS celebrated the installation of two BORDERXPRESS kiosks onboard Ferries del Caribe’s passenger cruise ship, the MV Kydon. This marked a milestone for the industry as Ferries del Caribe became the first-ever cruise operator in the world to install border control kiosks onboard a cruise ship or ferry.
• ITS expanded its BORDERXPRESS solution into the European market with the installation of 74 kiosks at Pafos International Airport and Larnaka International Airport in Cyprus. The launch in Cyprus represented the first implementation of permanent kiosks for Entry and Exit border control in the European Union.
• ITS also sold 16 BORDERXPRESS kiosks to Grantley Adams International Airport (GAIA) in Barbados for use by local residents, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) region and those who hold permanent or indefinite status in Barbados.
• 2018 also saw ITS expand its portfolio of industry leading technology with the launch of
CHECKITXPRESS. ITS partnered with Glidepath, a leader in baggage handling solutions to bring
the world’s most accessible, efficient and intuitive self-service bag drop to market. There are
now 10 CHECKITXPRESS positions in place at YVR. To date the units have processed over 122,062
bags.
• The team at ITS continues to attract top talent and further its position as an industry leader in passenger processing innovation. Steve Hankinson was appointed Vice President of Planning and Innovation for Vancouver Airport Authority and is now responsible for overseeing ITS.

The Year Ahead

ITS will continue to transform customer experiences and will focus on delivering an end-to-end, passenger led solution. The expansion of BORDERXPRESS in Europe has opened additional opportunities to optimize the border clearance process for passengers, airports and governments around the world. ITS will build on its success in Cyprus with increased focus on the European and Asian markets.

Following the successful launch of CHECKITXPRESS, the team at ITS will continue to look at new ways to use technology to improve efficiencies and improve the customer experience, not only at YVR, but across the travel industry.

“As ITS continues to grow, we are setting our sights on the next innovation in the evolution of the passenger experience not only at airports but at ports of entry around the world,” Hankinson, said. “In the year ahead, ITS will continue to work with industry, governments and other stakeholders to ensure that we are utilizing the most efficient technology, enhancing the experience of the traveller, while also making the whole travel process safer and more efficient.”