Now, mobile phone air ticketing
Jet Airways unveils cell phone ticketing solutions for its frequent flyers
Jet Airways on Tuesday unveiled a mobile ticketing solution for air passengers. The service will be available to Hutch customers with GPRS enabled phones, who must necessarily be members of the airlines frequent flyer programme. Sam Pitroda’s Chicago-based C-Sam Inc—a mobile transactions technology provider—developed the solution for the airline.
Travellers would have to download the JetWallet application on GPRS enabled cell phone devices. Using the m-ticketing initiative, passengers will be able to book, pay and generate e-tickets on cell phones. E-tickets would be e-mailed, and booking details would also be sent via SMSes.
“This innovative technological approach encompassing latest security and encryption methods will help passengers to book their tickets through a seamless secure transaction,” said Saroj Datta, Executive Director, Jet Airways.
However, the drawback is that while the airline is offering the solution, passengers will still not be able to flash their cell phones to gain entry into airports. Indian airports require travellers to have a paper ticket to access the airport. So, passengers will have to print their e-ticket for now.
A team, headed by Belson Coutinho, Head (e-commerce and distribution), Jet Airways, has worked on the solution for over a year. “The biggest challenge was tackling handset space for the application download, and ensuring it was absolutely secure,” said Coutinho.
The airline is now working on enhanced capabilities to integrate the features of their frequent flyer programme, like checking miles and account details, into the solution.