Manchester Airport launches free iphone app

Manchester Airport has launched a free iPhone app aimed at helping passengers using its facilities.

It offers real time flight information for arrivals and departures, with the ability to view whether a flight is ready to board, and the option to save specific flights into a personal list.

Users can also view Google maps of the terminal buildings, and get directions to the airport, and once inside interactive maps will help passengers find the location of shops, cafes, and other facilities. The application also enables iPhone users to pre-book car parking at the airport.

Andrew Harrison, commercial director for Manchester Airport, said: “We want to give our customers the services they require in a way that suits them. Digital and web technology is an area of increasing interest for us across all of our airports and we want to stay ahead of the curve.”

The airport hopes to expand the product to allow passengers to book all holiday extras through the iPhone application.

The application has been developed in conjunction with the airport’s digital supprt agency, KMP Digitata.

Rhodri Edwards, client services director for KMP, said: “We didn’t want to make just another app or launch one just for the sake of it. Just as we have assisted on the airport’s Twitter stream, it has to have a purpose. With live flight information and way finding available, we feel we’ve achieved that. The next step is to see if passengers can begin to use the app to book those services they want from the airport.”

The airport has more information on the app at manchesterairport.co.uk/iphone, but it can also be downloaded directly from the iTunes store by searching under Manchester Airport.