OREANDA-NEWS. Wizz Air Ukraine announced today that the airline will introduce an optional airport check-in fee of UAH 115 for all flights departing from 26 February 2014 to lower its airport ground handling costs and keep fares low for consumers. The optional fee for airport check-in is expected to encourage more passengers to check in online, thus enabling the airline to cut costs with time intensive airport check in procedures. This comes as part of the airlines’ commitment to enhance customer service and offer its passengers everyday low fares.

A free online check-in service is available on wizzair.com from 30 days up to 3 hours before the flight, for both passengers with and without checked baggage. Passengers who check in online should print their boarding card before going to the airport where they can avoid check-in queues and proceed directly to the boarding gate* no later than 40 minutes prior to the scheduled departure of their flight. The new online check-in facility is available on all bookings made from today for flights departing from 26 February.

Airport check-in continues to be available as an option for passengers who prefer to go to the check-in desk and can be added to the booking from UAH 115 on wizzair.com.** The fully free online check-in facility is expected to become the preferred check-in option chosen by budget conscious travelers.

Akos Bus, Director General of Wizz Air Ukraine, said: "We encourage our customers to conveniently check in online for the greatest savings when travelling on our low fares. Online check-in has become increasingly popular on several airlines throughout Europe and it can shorten time spent at airports, with passengers allowed to go straight through security and to the gate. Airlines can ensure lower airport handling costs if the majority of passengers check in online and print their own boarding card. By introducing an airport check-in fee we expect to reduce the number of passengers who check in at the airport. This will help us to lower our costs while we continue delivering what our passengers in Ukraine expect: low fares to an increasing number of interesting destinations paired with Wizz Air Ukraine’s great service.”

* Immigration and passport control on certain routes may require that passengers, who checked in online may, present at the check-in counter in order for their immigration documents to be checked. If passengers travel with hold baggage, they can check in online and drop of the hold baggage at the check-in desk free of charge up to 40 minutes prior to the departure of their flight.

** Airport check-in remains free of charge at airports where online check-in is not yet available.