DTI set to expand journey-planning travel portal

The Department for Trade and Industry (DTI) is looking to add real-time information on all flights taking off and landing in the UK to its online public transport and road travel portal.

The TransportDirect website currently provides live travel information on the UK's rail, coach, road and motorway network, and some domestic flights. It can be accessed online by the public using PCs, smart phones and PDAs.

As part of expansion plans the DTI is aiming to provide more comprehensive journey-planning features that include data for predicted and actual arrival and departure times for all scheduled low-cost and chartered flights to and from all UK airports. Other delivery channels such as kiosks and interactive digital TV are also being considered.

An information notice put out by the DTI said: "It is envisaged that this information could be supplied in two ways. The arrival and departure board information could be accessed through web pages to be hosted by the supplier. Access to more specific flight information would require a more interactive, query based approach."

The DTI said the buy-in and cooperation of the owners and operators of airlines and airports will be essential to providing an accurate and timely service for travellers. Suppliers are currently being asked to express an interest in providing the service.