BAA has announced the extension and enhancement of Flying Messenger - a real-time flight information service available through mobile phones

BAA plc, the world`s leading airport company, today announced the extension of Flying Messenger, a departure and arrival information SMS text messaging service for flights to and from Heathrow and Gatwick airports, to BT Cellnet customers. The service enables customers to access real-time flight information via their mobile phone, allowing them to plan their journeys to the airport much more effectively, and has proved popular amongst Vodafone customers since its launch in March 2001.

The service has also been made even simpler to use. The customer no longer has to register at BAA.com to use the service, but simply has to send an SMS message to a dedicated number from their mobile phone, inputting the details of the flight information they require. An SMS message, priced at 30p (excl VAT) is then automatically sent back detailing the status of the flight requested.

As well as Flying Messenger, BAA also provides Flying Messenger Plus, which sends customers a series of up to three automatic SMS alerts updating them on the progress of their requested flight over a 12-hour period. It can be booked up to two weeks in advance and costs 90p (excl VAT) for three status SMS messages.

Barbara Beckett, group retail marketing director, said: “We have been delighted with the success of the Flying Messenger and are pleased to offer the service to a wider audience through the BT Cellnet network. We have also reviewed the service and simplified it further it to make it even easier for customers to use. By combining mobile and internet technology we are able to offer our customers up-to-the-minute flight information on arrivals and departures at Heathrow and Gatwick, a great example of how we continually strive to improve our customers` travel and airport experience.”

The enhanced service is now available to all BT Cellnet “Pay Monthly” customers and all Vodafone customers. Since its launch in March 2001 over ten thousand BAA customers have registered to use the service.

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