A recent survey indicates that mobile phones are set to become a significant sales channel for airlines. According to transport communications and IT solution provider SITA's airline IT trends survey released last week, almost nine out of 10 airlines are selling or planning to sell tickets through the mobile phone netwrok by 2014 as per a report in Business Standard

The survey says airlines plan to extend mobile distribution services to include ticket modification/upgrades and sales of onboard services. Airlines are also looking to add new sales channels. Kiosks and social network sites are the most recent additions to a growing channel mix. The study revealed that 69 per cent of airlines also sell or plan to sell tickets via social media networks by 2014.

While mobile-phone ticketing option is not popular in India (less than one per cent of all tickets are booked using phones) the trend is fast catching up. In May, low-cost carrier IndiGo upgraded its mobile phone booking solution enabling passengers to check in and get weather updates.

Last week Jet Airways tied up with ngpay, a mobile commerce service provider, enabling passengers to book or cancel tickets, get refunds for e-tickets and manage card payments. ''We are confident that the convenience and simplicity of this service will be appreciated by our guests,'' said Jet Airways Chief Commercial Officer Sudheer Raghavan.

GoAir also plans to start its own mobile phone booking site. Besides, from offering convenience to passengers, mobile booking can allow airlines to control ticket distribution costs that can be as high as 10 per cent of all total expenses.

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