Mobile Times and Galileo Emirates introduce real-time pocket travel planner

This software - the first of its kind in the region - provides travellers with real-time access to travel information on their handheld devices.

This powerful and user-friendly new software enables Pocket PC users to check travel information such as worldwide airline flight schedules and seat availability.

Developed in the UAE, PocketFlight taps into the technological expertise of Mobile Times and harnesses Galileo Emirates' Web Services to access the Galileo system's extensive global travel database which comprises information on thousands of hotels, airlines and other travel services.

Naz Nizari, Senior Vice President, Galileo Emirates, Ameen Malik Allibhoy, Business Development Manager, Galileo Emirates, and Manoj Bhatia, Managing Director, Mobile Times, were all present at today's launch.

Naz Nizari commented: "Our prime interest is to use technology to provide customers with convenience, flexibility, innovation and an easy-to-use method of connecting to Galileo. Partnering with experts from Mobile Times has enabled us to be the first in this region with this exciting news.

She added: "Business travellers will enjoy immense benefits in receiving airline schedule availability on their PDA's. They are also able to access other travel suppliers from Galileo, primarily hotel and car rentals. I see an exponential adoption of this convenient service which will prove very popular among its users."

Manoj Bhatia, Managing Director, Mobile Times, added: "We are pleased to bring this innovative new product to the market in partnership with Galileo Emirates. PocketFlight is a consumer oriented product optimised for the PDA user, which gives quick and easy access to flight and seat availability information. Pocket PC users with an internet connection such as GPRS, Wi-Fi or Active Sync can use the software on a real-time basis practically anywhere in the world."

PocketFlight can be downloaded directly onto any handheld device (like I-mate, Everex, iPAQ etc). With this innovative new software, busy executives and professionals on-the-move no longer need to carry flight schedules or rely on telephone calls to travel centres.

PocketFlight will be launched in Dubai at GITEX 2005 on 24th September, and will be competitively priced and made available in all leading retail outlets selling hand held devices. In the coming months, PocketFlight will also be made available with Arabic menus, and to handheld users working on Symbian platforms (such as Nokia 9500 and 9300).