sabre developing mobile phone technology

TRAVELLERS could soon check-in for flights using their mobile telephone.

Sabre vice president e-commerce and business development EMEA showed delegates at the eyefortravel e-Tourism 2001 conference in Amsterdam a number of mobile telephone-based technologies it is developing.

The products are being designed so travel agents can offer clients more value when making their travel arrangements.

The check in facility works by sending the client a text message to their telephone in the shape of a bar code. The bar code is then scanned at the airport instead of using a ticket.

Another system being worked on would notify a traveller if their flight had been cancelled and offer them alternatives that can then be booked via the their telephone. In addition to this, the traveller can also be sent a message offering them a discount at a nearby restaurant or similar attraction if their flight is delayed.