British Airways has introduced its innovative on-line boarding pass technology at Inverness Airport.

The system, the first of its kind to be introduced by a UK carrier, enables passengers to print their boarding passes from their own home or office computer before arriving at the airport.

The initiative has been rolled out across the UK mainland airports to which British Airways operates and its introduction at Inverness means that passengers at all UK mainland airports now have access to the facility.

Passengers at 62 airports across British Airways global network can now use on-line boarding passes.

The Online Boarding Pass is part of the airline's drive to simplify the travel experience for customers and streamline the check-in process.

It further increases the choice of check-in facilities available to British Airways passengers, which already include self service kiosks and On-line Check in on the airline's website ba.com. Both facilities are already available to passengers flying on BA's services from Inverness.

The Online Boarding Pass, complete with a unique barcode, allows passengers with hand luggage to by-pass conventional check-in desks and go straight to the central search security area. Passengers with hold luggage leave it at the British Airways Fast Bag Drop facility at the airport.

At the central search area, the passenger's unique barcode is scanned by a member of Highland and Islands Airports security staff using scanning equipment similar to that used in shops.

Staff are able to read all the relevant travel information, confirming that the passenger has a valid document to travel, matching passenger name, flight number, date and boarding point.

British Airways worked closely with Highlands and Islands Airports and the Department of Transport before introducing the system at Inverness.

Steve Cassidy, commercial director for British Airways CitiExpress, which operates three return services a day between Inverness and Gatwick, said: "This innovative system represents a major benefit to our passengers flying to and from Inverness, helping smooth their journey through the airport and onto their flight.

"The priority in everything British Airways does is safety and security. The same principle applies to this highly innovative system. We had to ensure that the security associated with this method of check in is as robust as the other methods of check in that we currently offer. The Department for Transport and Highlands and Islands Airports are completely satisfied that the system is secure."

Dave Norwood, British Airways' Manager at Inverness said that passengers were using the airline's Online Check-in service and Self Service Kiosks in increasing numbers.

"I'm sure that the new Online Boarding Pass will prove to be a popular development, particularly with the large numbers of passengers who fly regularly with British Airways to and from Inverness. For them, the time-saving and convenience of printing out their own boarding pass at home or from the office will be a huge benefit."

Inverness Airport manager James Walton said: "We are delighted to have worked with BA to assist the introduction of on-line boarding passes at Inverness. This is part of our ongoing commitment to customer service at the Highlands' gateway airport."