Singapore Airlines Launches SIA Mobile Services

Members of the public can now be kept informed of changes to SIA flight departure and arrival times via e-mail, mobile phones or message pagers. This new flight alert messaging service is a key element of SIA Mobile Services, a suite of facilities that provides customers with more ways of obtaining information on the Airline and its services.

Requests to use the flight alert service can be made on SIA's website (at www.singaporeair.com) or using a WAP (Wireless Application Protocol) enabled mobile phone. E-mail alerts are available worldwide, but at the present, requests for alerts via mobile phones and message pagers can be made only by the public in Singapore. SIA will progressively extend this service to other countries.

But SIA Mobile Services is more than a messaging service. Customers worldwide can access published flight schedules, up-to-the-minute status of all SIA flights, a phone directory of SIA's offices worldwide, as well as information on special fare offers and SIA's frequent flyer programme, KrisFlyer. There is also a KrisFlyer redemption calculator that can display the mileage required for free travel awards.

Mr Yap Kim Wah, SIA's Senior Vice President Marketing Services, said the new services are targeted at customers who are on the move. "People today lead very busy lives, and time is at a premium. Singapore Airlines is using the latest technology to help our customers save time by obtaining information more quickly and conveniently."

Added Mr Yap: "We constantly review our customer services facilities and have been increasing our utilisation of technology in this area, to raise customer service levels. We aim to be among the leaders in the airline industry in the use of WAP technology."

SIA's WAP services are accessible at wap.singaporeair.com. SingTel Mobile subscribers in Singapore can also access SIA's services via its e-ideas WAP portal. SIA will progressively make the WAP services available via other WAP portals in Singapore and other selected countries.

Continued Mr Yap: "We want to allow our customers to stay connected, on the ground and in the air. SIA Mobile Services forms part of this aim. In the aircraft cabin, we have committed $200 million to install a new generation inflight entertainment and communications system that will eventually provide services such as electronic shopping, e-mail and Internet access. All of this will be available in the SIA 'cyber-cabin' of the future."

The introduction of SIA Mobile Services follows other moves to heighten customer service levels through utilising new technology. In July 1999, SIA launched its online booking facility, SQ-eTravel, and has since introduced new features such as real-time seating plans for First and Raffles Class customers. E-ticketing has been continuously extended to more destinations and is now available in 38 cities. The Airline has also announced plans to introduce tele-medical services on board its aircraft later in the year, providing customers with immediate medical assistance in case of emergencies.