PASSENGERS at Manchester Airport are to be sent free up-to-the-minute boarding and departure times direct to their mobile phone.
People travelling through Terminal 1 are being offered the flight details, along with special shopping deals and parking information, as part of a pilot scheme launched this week.
As soon as passengers with a Bluetooth-enabled phone arrive at the airport, they will receive a message asking them if they want to receive the information.
If they accept, they can then tap into a system offering the updates. It is aimed at allowing passengers to relax without the need to continually check departure boards.
The airport's director of innovation Yemmi Agbebi said: "This is an incredibly exciting technology which will help make it easier for our passengers to get vital flight information and find out about special offers.
"Most importantly, they can relax and enjoy a meal or visit the shops knowing that any gate information or changes to their departure time will be delivered straight to their palm."
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Most of the airport's flights to Europe and other package holiday destinations depart from Terminal 1.
If the scheme proves a success, it will be extended to cover flights from Terminal 2, including many to the US, and Terminal 3, where British Airways, Flybe and BMI desks are based.
The technology, developed by Peak Software, could also be extended to other airports across the country. It has been designed to avoid the nuisance factor' for regular fliers by sending only one invitation per month to each mobile phone user.
Source: Andy McFarlane, The Bolton News
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