Book flight tickets through SMS

Bangalore, Nov 6 (UNI) Leading telecom service provider Hutch today announced it has entered into an alliance with Flightraja.com, a city-based online travel portal, to enable its customers to book domestic airline tickets and access flight information through SMS.

The service could be availed by sending an SMS to 6858 with necessary details. The customer would then receive comparative information on almost real time basis from which he could choose the flight. A Flight Raja customer service executive would call back to confirm the booking and payment options, a company release here said.

Payments could be made through VISA or Master cards. The entire transaction is encrypted and the fully automated system make it completely safe and secure, the release said.

Hutchison Essar Ltd Chief Marketing Officer Naveen Chopra said ''with increased number of cost-effective airline travel options available today, more people are travelling by air. Through this facility, Hutch will provide its customers the convenience and freedom to plan and book air tickets in three simple steps from anywhere at anytime.'' Flight Raja CEO Vinay Gupta said ''it is the first time in the world that a service like this is being rolled out. Today's traveller is looking at a 'here and now' option for information and booking of travel tickets in the easiest possible method. A simple SMS is all you need.'' UNI GD RA BS1946