Travel Technology News.

Apr 14, 2008

Passengers will be permitted to receive and make in-flight calls on mobile phones under new rules from the European Commission. Following months of regulatory consultation, plus testing in countries including France and Australia, a number of telecom operators and airlines are planning to offer the service this year. The Commission has set out technical requirements for the use of mobiles once aircraft are flying, but the European Aviation Safety Agency will still need to approve the on-board equipment which makes this possible. Costs will be down to the service providers then, but these will be closely monitored. She said the Commission was responding to demand from air travellers for in-flight mobile usage, acknowledging it would be particularly advantageous for [sup.3]business travellers who need to be ready to communicate wherever they are.[sup.2] However, she added that [sup.3]airlines and operators [should] create the right conditions on-board aircraft to ensure that those who want to use in-flight communication services do not disturb other passengers.[sup.2] Passengers[sup.1] phones will be linked to an on-board cellular network connected via satellite to whomever they call - and preventing mobiles linking directly to networks on the ground, ensuring transmission powers are kept low, so as not to affect aircraft equipment. The Commission[sup.1]s measures also harmonise licensing requirements, promoting mutual recognition throughout the EU of nationally-granted licenses. Apr 8, 2008

Amadeus

Amadeus has created a new unit to provide tools for international leisure distribution called TravelTainment-The Amadeus Leisure Group. The move combines three Amadeus leisure technology businesses: TravelTainment, Amadeus Tours, and the product management and development for TOMA, a tour package distribution solution. Apr 11, 2008

Amadeus

The Amadeus Leisure Group will initially focus on Amadeusi existing market portfolios in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, Holland, Belgium, Poland and the UK and other markets beyond Europe such as North America and Canada. The combined leisure offering of TravelTainment-The Amadeus Leisure Group is the only multi-market, multi-channel, community distribution system for selling leisure content of all types, Amadeus says. This includes alternative packages, hotels, charters, low cost options and cruises. Leisure customers have access to a unique database of 470 destinations covering over 80 percent of the world's leisure destinations. Visit www.amadesus.com Apr 11, 2008

Silverjet

All-business class carrier Silverjet April 7 launched a mobile website which means travellers can book flights, see schedules, select seats and choose meals from their telephones. Developed by Mobile Travel Technologies, the airline says Silverjet Mobile[sup.1] is accessed by entering the usual website address - www.flysilverjet.com - into their mobile phone browser. Customers in the UK can also text Silverjet[sup.1] to 60767 to receive a link via SMS. The technology will recognise a wide range of mobile devices, says the airline, and optimise the display and adapt functionality accordingly. Recent research by the carrier revealed that more than a third (36%) of business travellers now regularly use mobile internet services for work, with nearly half (47%) requesting the benefits mobile technology can now offer airline passengers. Various airlines have introduced similar mobile services, including American, Continental and Air Asia. Apr 7, 2008

SITA, Beijing Capital

SITA announced completion of 700 workstations at Beijing Capital's Terminal 3 to support Olympic Games traffic this summer including check-in, boarding and transfers. A $3 billion addition, the terminal is expected to boost annual capacity by 30 million passengers (ATWOnline, March 3). SITA projects that 50 of its self-service check-in kiosks will be ready to go live for the Olympics. Apr 7, 2008

ZZ

Editorial eMail: edit@AirGuideOnline.com

For Air Transport & Travel Business Experts contact our Director of Content Aram Gesar eMail: bizintel@AirGuideOnline.com

To Advertise: advert@AirGuideOnline.com

Copyright [c] 2008 Pyramid Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved.