The Nnamdi Azikwe Airport, Abuja, had been selected to pilot a pre-check-in luggage weighing device.
GAOOUP Nigeria Limited, in partnership with Greatway Foundation of Scotland, said the airport is the first in Africa to get the machine, expected to ease the check-in process.
The Chairman, GAOOUP, Chief Alex Adole, said in a statement on Tuesday, “Our interest as a company in pre check-in luggage weigh systems was informed by the absence of a standard, advanced and technologically-driven process. It will give air passengers from Nigeria and the entire Africa at large, the ease and comfort of checking the weight of their luggage before getting to the check-in point to determine if it conformed to the allowed carriage limit.
“We saw the inconvenience and discomfort with which air travellers from Nigeria had to check in their luggage after they wait on the queue. Instances of excess luggage, haggling and exchange of unpleasant words among passengers and airline staff and the stress of having to leave the queue to repack their luggage and even possibly abandon it are some challenges we want to eradicate,” he noted
Adole said passengers would be guided step-by-step on its usage, allowing them to weigh their luggage and compare it to their flight’s luggage allowance.
“In less than 30 seconds, the system will show the bag’s weight compared to the airline’s baggage allowance; and if the bag is overweight, it will show how much the passenger will be charged at check-in. This gives passengers the opportunity to re-pack any excess luggage before they check-in, avoiding unnecessary airline charges,” he said.