SINGAPORE AIRLINES GOES I-MODE

Singapore Airlines (SIA) has launched two of its most popular SIA Mobile Services on Japan’s most popular interactive mobile platform, i-mode. >From 20 July, NTT DoCoMo’s i-mode subscribers can access SIA’s Flight Status and Flight Alert services in Japanese from their mobile phones.

This is the first non-English language mobile service from SIA and makes it one of only two airlines in the world offering both services in the Japanese language.

Mr Yap Kim Wah, SIA’s Senior Vice President Product and Services, said that this launch was part of SIA’s ongoing roll-out of SIA Mobile Services.

“Our commitment is to provide our customers with anytime, anywhere access, on any device,” he said. “We are delivering on that promise by continuing our roll-out of services in languages and on devices that meet our customers’ lifestyle needs.

“In just two years, the number of i-mode users in Japan has exploded to reach 25 million. These users are the new face of consumerism. They demand high levels of interactivity at their fingertips, whether it is transferring funds, ordering a book or checking on their flights.

“This is an exciting new frontier and we are thrilled to be part of it,” he said.

SIA Mobile Services is a suite of services that allows customers to obtain information on request using personal digital assistants, mobile phones, and personal computers.

With SIA Flight Status, customers can view scheduled departure and arrival times plus the latest real-time update of the flight’s status, including early arrival times or delay status.

The SIA Flight Alert service takes the level of interactivity one step further by allowing customers to request to be alerted when flights arrive, depart or at pre-specified times.

“Our customers in Japan are big consumers of i-mode phone services. By making SIA Mobile Services available in Japanese and through i-mode, we are meeting their needs for easy access to information,” said Mr Yap.

Since its launch in July 2000, SIA Mobile Services has attracted more than 25,000 users around the world. SIA Mobile Services is part of SIA’s three-year, $100 million e-commerce development plan.

On May 28, 2001, SIA expanded its short message service (SMS) flight alert service globally and launched the new www.singaporeair.com; a totally integrated and seamless service delivery platform delivering personalised on-line service to SIA’s customers.

SIA Mobile Services can be accessed through wap.singaporeair.com and www.singaporeair.com. Japanese language services can be accessed through www.singaporeair.co.jp/i/ and also through SIA’s Japanese language website www.singaporeair.co.jp.