SpiceJet Introduces Revolutionary Paperless Boarding at Shillong Airport

(SHILLONG) SpiceJet on August 26, 2025, launched India’s first paperless boarding process from an airport check-in counter, debuting at Shillong Airport in Meghalaya. Instead of a printed slip, passengers now receive WhatsApp-based boarding passes at the counter, with baggage tag details sent by SMS. The airline says the change will speed lines, reduce paper use, and make the airport experience smoother for flyers who still rely on staffed counters.

How the system works

SpiceJet’s system runs on its in-house Web Departure Control System (WEBDCS). Using tablets or standard airport computers, staff issue digital passes through WhatsApp or email and push baggage tag numbers by SMS. The digital pass then serves as the credential for security checks and boarding gates.

• Staff check passengers in at the counter as usual.
• Passengers receive their boarding pass on WhatsApp (or email if preferred).
• Baggage tag details are sent via SMS after bag acceptance.
• The digital pass is shown at security and the gate — keep your phone screen bright and ready to scan.

The carrier called the Shillong rollout a first step toward wider deployment across the network in the coming months. SpiceJet says this is the first such counter deployment.

“At SpiceJet, we are constantly working to improve the travel experience for our passengers while embracing sustainability. The introduction of paperless boarding at Shillong Airport is a strong step in that direction. We look forward to expanding this convenience-driven initiative across more airports in the near future,” said G P Gupta, Chief Strategy Officer, in an official statement.

Why this matters

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the move sets a clear marker for Indian carriers competing on reliability and ease of use. While web check-in and the government-backed Digi Yatra program have grown, many travelers still go to the counter — especially families, seniors, and those checking bags. Replacing printouts at that point of service can shift behavior quickly because it meets people where they already are.

The timing is also about the environment. In June 2025 alone, more than 9 million paper boarding passes were printed at Indian airports, a volume SpiceJet links to roughly 6 tonnes of carbon emissions. Cutting that waste by defaulting to digital at the counter—where the largest share of prints are triggered—could trim a persistent source of emissions and reduce trash around gate areas.

Key facts confirmed by the airline

Benefits for passengers and staff

• For passengers:
  • Easier handling of documents when traveling with children or lots of carry-ons.
  • Ability to forward passes via WhatsApp to other adults in a party.
  • Option to receive pass by email if not on WhatsApp.
• For staff:
  • Less time spent fixing printers or restocking paper.
  • Ability to serve from tablets during peak times, reducing bottlenecks.
  • More time to address seating, special assistance, or schedule queries.

The airline stresses the method is aimed at easing travel for those who fear losing paper slips or juggling multiple documents. Staff can work from tablets when counters get crowded, which reduces bottlenecks.

Operational and policy context

Shillong Airport is a modest station, but service changes proven at smaller fields often spread quickly through Indian aviation. Aviation analysts call the counter the linchpin: if the default at the desk is digital, adoption rises even among those who are not early tech users. That matters in India, where habits around paper slips remain common.

The initiative aligns with national efforts to promote digital travel tools. The Ministry of Civil Aviation has encouraged paper-free processes through programs like Digi Yatra. Readers seeking official guidance on digital air travel policies can visit the Ministry of Civil Aviation. SpiceJet’s counter-based approach does not replace government identity rules; it focuses on how the boarding credential is issued and shown.

SpiceJet frames the step as part of a broader shift to lighter, faster airport flows, aiming to cut wait times, lower paper use, and promote eco-friendly choices without asking passengers to change how they start a trip.

Warnings, fallbacks, and traveler advice

Industry watchers caution airports must maintain clear backup paths:

• Phones die, networks slow, and scanners can fail — carriers typically keep a fallback to print passes when needed.
• Staff training and visible signage at Shillong will be critical to prevent slowdowns.

Practical tips to avoid problems:
1. Open WhatsApp before the checkpoint.
2. Zoom the QR code if the scanner struggles.
3. Turn off dark mode if the scanner cannot read the screen.
4. Ask staff for an email copy if you do not use WhatsApp.
5. Request a printed pass only if necessary — the default is digital.

Impact and next steps

For travelers planning trips through Meghalaya, SpiceJet says the experience at Shillong should feel familiar, just lighter on paper. Families can keep all passes on one phone or forward them. Those who prefer paper can still request a print, though the default is digital.

SpiceJet has said it will extend the model across India in the coming months. If the rollout holds, competitors may follow with their own versions of counter paperless boarding, potentially hastening a nationwide shift toward fully digital, app-optional travel. Official updates on routes and station readiness will appear on the airline’s website at SpiceJet.

Important reminder: For international trips, a boarding pass is not an immigration document. A phone pass doesn’t change visa, passport, or entry rules — always carry the travel papers required for your destination and any transit points.

For now, the Shillong pilot shows a simple idea gaining ground: send the pass to the phone people already use, and make it work without extra sign-ups. As more airports adopt the same flow, the habit of asking, “Where’s the printer?” may fade from India’s check-in areas — replaced by a scan, a wave, and a walk to the gate.