Online travel agent Opodo plans to launch a mobile phone text service by the end of the year.
The ‘Tarmac Text’ will be used to send airport terminal information to customers as well as their e-ticket number, temperatures in destinations and where to go for their car-hire.
It will also be used for information on the latest delays and any other travel information that helps improve the customer experience.
Opodo UK director Caroline Noble said the company was also planning to do more destination podcasts following the success of city guide podcasts launched in September on the travel sections of national newspapers and within customer e-mail confirmations.
Noble added that there were no plans to use mobile phones commercially at this point.
“I don’t know how much tolerance there is for advertising on this space. We will always make it an opt-in service.”
Other online players such as price comparison site Travelsupermarket.com are also looking at potential applications for mobile phones.
Travelsupermarket director Chris Nixon said the company was looking at ways to communicate with users.
“We would like to supply our best searches and what people are looking for on mobile phones and let people know when the price goes below a certain level for a flight or when seats become available,” he said.
by Linda Fox
