Delta Air Lines launched a new process that "makes it easier for all sports groups as well as all other groups to check in online,"

according to the Global Business Travel Association, whose Sports Committee collaborated with the carrier. Groups of six to 40 passengers prior to airport arrival now can designate a "group leader" to check in passengers and their baggage and also print boarding passes with seat assignments. Once at the airport, "the group leader only needs to drop off checked baggage and pay applicable additional baggage fees," according to GBTA. As part of the new procedures, Delta also "advises the departure location airport ticket agents in advance of each sports group departure to ensure all sports groups are greeted by a Delta agent," GBTA added. The carrier also launched a dedicated sports desk to manage such groups. "The traveling sports community has unique travel-related challenges to face such as coordinating logistics for hundreds of athletes traveling with necessary and specialized equipment, college athletes with no credit cards and special airport security requirements," according to GBTA vice president and sports committee member Kevin Maguire, who also serves as director of travel for intercollegiate athletics at The University of Texas at Austin.