Checking in will become considerably easier from this summer as airports start to install common-use self-service (CUSS) kiosks.

Although self-service kiosks have become commonplace in airports, they have tended to be dedicated to particular airlines, usually large network carriers such as British Airways and Lufthansa.

Trials of the CUSS kiosks, which can be used by passengers of any airline using an IATA standardised check-in system, have been carried out for some time but this marks the first full implementations.

This summer, ground handler Servisair/GlobeGround is installing SelfServ kiosks at Oslo airport. Air France and KLM are the launch airlines for the project but others are expected to join them.

Frankfurt airport will launch its own CUSS kiosk project this autumn. Passengers flying with any of 42 member airlines and ground handlers of the Frankfurt CUTE CLUB (Common Use Terminal Equipment Local User Board) will be able to use one of eight CUSS kiosks installed in the first phase.

More than 50 million passengers fly through Frankfurt airport each year and it is predicted that 60 to 70 per cent of passengers will use self-service by 2010.

Stefan Meyer, chairman of the Frankfurt CUTE CLUB, says: "The CUSS-capable kiosk significantly enhances passenger service because airlines without their own check-in kiosks will now be able to offer travellers this automated self-service capability."