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Star Alliance has announced the launch of the industry's first ever product designed to automatically check and verify travel documentation held by passengers.

The Auto Doc Check system, which is being trialled by Singapore Airlines, is expected to prove particularly useful for itineraries that cover several countries.

Developed through an initiative involving 11 Star Alliance carriers, the facility provides a simple 'yes', 'no' or 'conditional' response at check-in on whether a passenger has the requisite documents to travel.

Star Alliance gave the example of a Singapore resident travelling to Australia and South Africa with a British passport. The organisation said that Auto Doc Check could quickly clarify whether this traveller would need a visa for any part of their journey.

Lee Hock Lye, Star Alliance vice president of products and services, said: 'Up to now it has often been a challenge for check-in personnel and passengers to keep current about what documents are needed for travelling abroad.

'With state-of-the-art technology now evaluating the passenger's travel documents and deciding if the passenger is allowed to travel, Auto Doc Check is taking the guesswork out this decision.'

The system is also set to prove useful for off-airport check-in schemes, as people checking in online or at self-service kiosks will be able to make use of the service.

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