Plane check-in by cell phones set for '05

LONDON: Passengers wanting to skip airport queues will be able to check in for flights using their mobile phone beginning next year, two European firms set to offer the service announced.

German manufacturer Siemens and air transport-related information technology firm SITA Inc have teamed to develop the service, which uses GPRS, or general packet radio service, a speedy system for sending information to mobile phones.

Passengers can check in, change seats, check times and receive details for dropping off baggage using their phones.

The system is expected to help alleviate airport congestion, the firms said in a statement.

"Controlling costs and increasing choice for passengers are two of the key demands made of the air transportation industry today and SITA Mobile Check-in addresses each of them," Francesco Violante, managing director at the Geneva-based firm said in the statement.

The first carrier lined up to offer the service is Brazilian airline TAM but a SITA spokesman said the firm was in talks with others.