Shillong: SpiceJet has introduced paperless boarding at Shillong Airport, enabling passengers to receive digital boarding passes via WhatsApp instead of printed slips. The airline said the initiative, aimed at reducing passenger wait times and cutting paper use, will be extended to other domestic airports in the coming months. According to SpiceJet, this is the first time an Indian carrier has deployed WhatsApp-based boarding passes directly from airport counters.
The move comes as airlines and airports increasingly adopt digital solutions to streamline operations and support sustainability goals. Despite the availability of web check-in and the Digi Yatra initiative, SpiceJet noted that more than nine million boarding passes were printed at Indian airports in June 2025 alone. The airline estimated this accounted for about six tonnes of carbon emissions, which it aims to curb through digital alternatives.
Industry observers view the shift as part of a broader trend in the aviation sector, where carriers are investing in paperless and contactless technologies to improve efficiency and reduce environmental impact. By introducing paperless boarding at a smaller airport such as Shillong, SpiceJet is testing the process in a limited environment before expanding it nationwide.
SpiceJet Chief Strategy Officer G. P. Gupta said the company intends to enhance passenger convenience while addressing sustainability concerns. He added that the rollout at Shillong is an initial step, with plans underway to extend the facility to more airports across India in the near future.
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