Digital Travel

MOBILE TRAVEL TECHNOLOGY BUILDS AIRLINE TOOL

Mobile Travel Technologies has developed a range of services for Australia and Asia Pacific low-cost carrier Jetstar.

Using MTT’s m2plane! platform the Qantas-subsidiary is offering travellers, arrival and departure information, destination information, details of promotional fares and schedules.

The information can be accessed from most mobile phones and other handheld digital devices. The site and services can be viewed using jetstar.com on a mobile device or here on a PC.

MTT’s m2plane! platform can also be used to make, confirm and amend bookings.

Executive director Gerry Samuels said: “Mobile is an ideal channel for airlines and particularly low-cost airlines. It provides them with a range of opportunities to monetise ancillary revenues to travellers.”

He also said he believed mobile was now at the "tipping point" with some companies receiving between 3% and 10% of their traffic volume through their mobile sites.

MOBILE-FRIENDLY TRAVEL WEBSITES

One in two UK travel companies plans to introduce a mobile-friendly website, according to a survey by mobile technology firm Handy Group.

CEO Michael Lacy said: “With recent advances in mobile phone technology, consumers can now access the internet with ease. However, many travel companies’ websites cannot be used effectively on a mobile phone.”

The company has developed a solution that transforms the mobile internet into an effective distribution channel, delivering the key transactional booking elements of fixed line websites to any mobile device.

“Greater connectivity, capability of handsets, mobile-friendly website content and a lower cost to the consumer have all combined to make this the perfect time for companies to launch their mobile strategies,”  claimed Lacy.

Companies have realised they need to embrace mobile technology in order to reach new customers with more than 3.3 billion mobile phone subscriptions worldwide and smartphones such as the iPhone and Blackberry growing in popularity.

A joint report by Amadeus and the Association of Corporate Travel Executives in May revealed a wide range of benefits of using mobile technology for corporate travellers and travel managers.

It found that 69% of business travellers use mobile devices for internet access.

“There are areas of the world where fixed line internet is impractical to install and communities would be isolated were it not for mobile technology. The sun has risen on the mobile age and companies are realising they need to grasp the technology sooner rather than later.

“The technology exists, but its clear there needs to be a strong awareness campaign to educate the consumers about the nuts and bolts of accessing the internet on their phone.”

BA OFFERS BOOKING VIA NEW IPHONE

British Airways is allowing users of the new Apple iPhone 3G to book flights using the device.

The carrier claims to be the first to introduce an application for the new mobile phone on which passengers can access real-time arrival and departure information, view the BA timetable and make bookings.

It was developed when two experts from the airline’s information management saw the potential benefits for passengers following Apple CEO Steve Jobs announcement in May that the iPhone 3G would allow developers to build applications for the device using the same tools Apple does, enabling seamless integration.

The new application for the iPhone 3G is the latest in a range of new services which have been developed by BA’s innovations team, according to the airline.

The airline’s chief information officer Paul Coby said: “The iPhone is revolutionising mobile communications and allows us to provide instant access to arrivals and departures information which will enhance the experience of travelling with BA.

"We're always seeking to improve the service our customers enjoy by the smart use of innovative technology and the iPhone is a fantastic way to achieve this."