For the nearly 50 million passengers who will leave from Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) this year, life just got a little more convenient.

Some 42 "self check-in" kiosks opened for business in Terminal 1 on Oct. 20 in a bid to cut queues.

The HK$18 million system allows passengers to scan their ID cards or passports, enter an e-ticket number, choose a seat and print a boarding pass.

Travelers can also update their rewards program and bags can be checked in at a drop-in counter next to the kiosks, where airline staff will be on hand to help.

Cathay Pacific, Air Canada, China Airlines, KLM Royal Dutch, Dragonair and Northwest passengers can now use the service, with others expected to come online soon. The airlines represent about half of traffic originating in Hong Kong.

Terminal 2 general manager Wong Yiu-fai said more counters would be added at Airport Express stations and at the city's two main convention centers.

"It is the mission of Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) to provide passengers of Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) with a hassle-free airport experience," he said.

"Passengers who prefer checking in at airline counters may also benefit from shorter lines and queuing times as more and more airlines and passengers use the service."

The new system was developed under the International Air Transport Association's (IATA) common-use, self-service standard - part of the organization's initiative to use advanced technologies to make travel more convenient.