SpiceJet Rolls Out Paperless WhatsApp Boarding at Shillong

In a pioneering step towards sustainable air travel, SpiceJet has become the first Indian airline to introduce a paperless boarding process at Shillong Airport, allowing passengers to receive their boarding passes directly via WhatsApp at airport check-in counters. This innovative move aims to reduce waiting times, enhance passenger convenience, and significantly cut down the aviation sector’s paper waste.

A Digital Leap in Passenger Convenience

With the new process, passengers checking in at the counter no longer need to rely on printed slips. Instead, they will receive their boarding passes digitally on WhatsApp, ensuring a seamless and eco-friendly boarding experience. By eliminating the need for physical boarding passes, SpiceJet is reshaping the way passengers move through airports while streamlining operations.

Addressing Environmental Concerns

Despite widespread availability of web check-in and government-led digital initiatives like Digi Yatra, Indian airports still printed more than nine million boarding passes in June 2025 alone. This staggering number contributed to an estimated six tonnes of carbon emissions in just one month. SpiceJet’s new initiative is designed to tackle this avoidable environmental burden, aligning the airline with global efforts to reduce carbon footprints in aviation.

Powered by Indigenous Technology

The paperless boarding initiative is supported by SpiceJet’s indigenously developed Web Departure Control System (WEBDCS). This browser-based platform enables airport staff to issue:

• Boarding passes via WhatsApp or email
• Baggage tags via SMS

The system is versatile enough to run on both tablets and standard airport check-in computers, ensuring efficiency and scalability across diverse airport infrastructures.

Airline’s Commitment to Sustainability

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

This milestone reflects the airline’s dual focus on passenger comfort and environmental responsibility.

Expansion Plans Across India

While Shillong Airport is the first to benefit from this innovation, SpiceJet plans to gradually roll out the WhatsApp-based paperless boarding system to other domestic airports. This expansion is expected to strengthen the airline’s eco-conscious initiatives while offering passengers a smoother, faster, and greener travel experience.

With the launch of paperless boarding at Shillong Airport, SpiceJet has set a new benchmark for digital innovation in Indian aviation. By combining passenger convenience with sustainability, the airline is not just reducing carbon emissions but also leading the way for a greener, smarter future in air travel.