Dépêches

Mobile Websites Take Off: Eight More U.S. Airports in Three Months Turn to FlightView for Mobile Flight Tracking & Airport Information

Dépèche transmise le 17 octobre 2011 par Business Wire

SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--As airports across the country strive to improve customer service and meet demand for instant-access to real-time travel information, the most innovative are moving fast to implement mobile content. In fact, FlightView, the go-to source for mobile technology in the travel industry, won eight new mobile content projects for U.S. airports in the past three months.

“Providing travelers and those picking them up with fast access to accurate flight information is one of the best services an airport can provide, and it’s what customers have come to expect.”

Among the airports tapping FlightView to develop mobile websites and mobile flight tracking capabilities are Portland International Jetport, Wichita Mid-Content Airport, University Park in State College Airport, Gainesville Regional Airport, Beaches International Airport, and Oklahoma City Airport.

“Mobile technology is an absolute game-changer for airports,” said Jorge Munevar, IT Manager of Wichita Airport Authority. “Providing travelers and those picking them up with fast access to accurate flight information is one of the best services an airport can provide, and it’s what customers have come to expect.”

Smart phone usage among consumers – especially travelers – continues to increase. According to the Nielson Group, smart phone sales will outpace regular mobile phone sales before the end of the year. With 77 percent of frequent business travelers and 67 percent of all travelers bringing their internet-enabled phones with them every time they fly, it’s become essential for airports to provide mobile content to their customers.

“We’re committed to enhancing the overall airport customer service experience for our passengers. The airport's new FlightView digital information screens throughout the terminal building and mobile website both play a significant role in providing our passengers with timely up-to-date information,” said Scott C. Carr, A.A.E., Deputy Airport Director - Portland International Jetport. “However, these improvements are not just a value-add for our customers. We’ve seen significant operational benefits, including increased website traffic and shorter airline gate counter lines for general questions when flights are delayed.”

Despite the thousands of travel apps available, mobile websites are being implemented by airports at significantly higher rates than mobile native apps, according to FlightView. While native apps are advantageous for airlines and travel service providers, mobile websites have proven to be the best option for airports due to cost and multi-platform support considerations. Mobile websites are less expensive to build because they can be optimized across many different mobile platforms with the same codebase, as opposed to creating separate versions for each operating system.

“Travelers searching for airport flight information tend to search via Google, and don’t want the hassle of having to download a separate app for each airport they visit,” said Mike Benjamin, CEO of FlightView. “With customer convenience and cost in mind, mobile websites are the quickest way for airports to provide mobile access to real-time flight information.”

In addition to FlightView’s eight new mobile content projects, the company announced projects for Pittsburgh International Airport, Des Moines International Airport, Casper-Natrona County International Airport, Greater Rochester International Airport, Lafayette Regional Airport and Quad City International Airport in late July.

With a 30-year track record of providing airports and airlines with accurate and visually appealing flight information, FlightView is in a unique position to help airports quickly implement mobile solutions. The company’s already-built mobile framework is tailored specifically to deal with the nuances of flight tracking and is a cost-effective and proven alternative to third-party Web developers.

FlightView’s own mobile website and travel apps, available on the Android, iPhone, BlackBerry and Palm, are the leading, trusted smart phone native apps for more than one million users nationwide.

FlightView will be showcasing its mobile solutions for airports this week at the 2011 ACI-NA Annual Conference in San Diego, CA. Stop by booth #625 for more information.

About FlightView

FlightView is the recognized provider of the most accurate, real-time flight information solutions for the aviation and travel industries. FlightView’s mobile, Dispatch and FVXML products help aviation and travel professionals achieve superior customer service with actionable real-time information. FlightView’s information displays can be seen at airport terminals and on the Web sites of the largest major airports, airline and travel companies. FlightView’s software services and solutions are relied upon by the US government, the world’s largest airlines, airports, aviation and travel professionals, ground transportation companies and news outlets. FlightView’s mobile applications help consumers control travel plans. Founded in 1981, and headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, FlightView has nearly 30 years of experience in building and supporting mission-critical systems for the FAA and the Volpe Center. To access real-time flight information online, visit FlightView Flight Tracker or FlightView Mobile Flight Tracker.