WestJet partially disables airport kiosks

WestJet, Canada’s second largest airline, has decided to partially disable its network of airport check-in kiosks, as part of an investigation into fraud and security breaches. There appears to be particular concern with the credit card reader devices on these machines. Passengers travelling through a total of 28 Canadian airports will be affected by this temporary change and Ken McKenzie, the discount carrier’s executive vice president in charge of operations, conceded that this move will likely cause a reduction in efficiency, when it comes to checking in.

While the credit card readers on most self-serve kiosks will be disabled, WestJet was quick to point out that it will still be possible to check-in electronically, as the only difference is that clients will be asked to use their passport, or key in their booking reference number. Most WestJet passengers have become accustomed to these electronic kiosks, when it comes to checking in, as well as printing their own boarding passes.

WestJet decided to disable the credit card readers once it found out that Visa Canada had launched an investigation into allegations of fraud at Canadian airports. The credit card company, however, noted that so far there have only been “isolated” reports of fraud and that it was cooperating with both airports and carriers in order to look into the matter. Originally, Canadian media reports suggested that most of these complaints and allegations stemmed from transactions at Toronto’s Pearson Airport.

Thank you to CBC News for the initial report.

www.westjet.com