Mobile software could save the air industry millions a year, if available technology is utilised, claims SITA.
According to research by SITA and Cambridge University, mobile phones could save the airline industry £300m a year in dealing with and reducing flight delays.
The study showed that technology such as location sensing via mobile devices could be used to track passengers or inform them of gate changes or flight delays.
Mobile phones could also be used to store boarding passes, baggage tracking information and payment data.
SITA Chief Technology Officer Jim Peters said research showed mobile services would be available to all travellers in the next five years.
"These 'digital travellers' will have on-demand access to a range of mobile-enabled services such as real time flight updates; self-service booking, check-in and boarding; and mobile payments.
"In fact, by the end of 2010, 67% of airlines plan to offer mobile check-in. By then 82% of airlines also plan to offer notification services on mobiles."
Airports could employ the same technology to encourage passengers to linger longer in the duty-free store, allowing them to spend any cost reductions the airlines might pass on.
"Using mobiles as tracking devices, airports can ... also market revenue-earning services. During a trial at Manchester Airport in the UK, redemption of vouchers sent to passengers’ mobile phones resulted in 45% higher spending than among other shoppers," SITA said.
By Elizabeth Clifford-Marsh
