Common-use self-service or CUSS is a shared kiosk offering airport check-in to passengers without the need for ground staff. The CUSS can be used by several participating airlines in a single terminal. [1]
The first major installation of CUSS for multiple airlines was launched in 2003 in a cooperative project between LAS McCarran Airport, ARINC and twelve participating airlines. British Airways, Singapore Airlines, Royal Dutch KLM and Lufthansa[ citation needed] By the end of 2008, CUSS had been implemented at more than 100 airports globally. [1]
CUSS can provide easier and faster passenger passage through the airport, due to less queues. CUSS kiosks can be shared by multiple airlines and are located throughout the airport, [1] ranging from car parks to transit areas, thus cutting down airport crowds. [2]
Economically, CUSS reduces the labour cost of ground staff required by manual check-in. With the introduction of CUSS, the check-in area at the airport can be reduced to enable more retail outlets, or entertainment facilities.[ citation needed] Based on IATA studies, a 40% market penetration of self-service check-in will save $US1 billion per year. [3] CUSS can be implemented in the cloud, optimising resource usage and support overheads, that eliminates the need for servers, core computing space and costly technical manpower. [4]