Technology unable to keep up with vagaries of weather

LONDON - Mobile applications and mobile web services are failing to update passengers with the latest travel information, in view of the vagaries of weather.

Research from mobile internet specialist Volantis claims that budget airlines RyanAir and Aer Lingus are failing to provide even the most basic of mobile web services, with no app for iPhone, BlackBerry or Android and no mobile internet service.

Volantis CEO Mark Watson said airlines need to improve their mobile presence to avoid the travel chaos seen at airports in the last week where thousands of passengers were stranded after their flights were cancelled.

“When you consider that the mobile web was practically invented for a situation like this, in which travellers need to access crucial information where and when they need it,” he said.

British Airways topped the table with German airline Lufthansa. Both airlines have “comprehensive” mobile apps for iPhone, BlackBerry and Android that allow customers to check travel news before they leave. Both also have a mobile web service for other phone models, reports the Telegraph.

Airlines KLM, Air France, Virgin, EasyJet, American Airlines, Delta and United Airlines all have apps for iPhones and a mobile web service to check a specific flight but do not provide information about alternative flights when a passenger’s flight is cancelled. They also do not have a separate app for BlackBerry and Android.

The survey compared 13 airlines in total.