Local dignitaries gathered at Southampton Airport today for the official launch of the UK’s first live travel information system in an airport. The new innovative system provides live transport updates on bus, ferry, rail and road networks across the south, aiming to help passengers with their onward journeys from the airport.

The £50,000 development uses live data feeds through the internet to automatically update the information continuously. Additionally, local bus information is connected to the city’s Romanse system, and the road network is linked to live motorway CCTV footage.

Southampton Airport has developed the technology in partnership with Eastleigh Borough Council, Southampton City Council, Highways Agency, South West Trains, Red Funnel and Hampshire County Council.

Chris Huhne MP officially launched the new system in the Arrival’s Hall at Southampton Airport. Chris said: "There is no doubt that Southampton Airport is the most traveller friendly airport that I’ve experienced. The airport is also the biggest employer within my constituency, and very important to the regional economy. These screens are yet another example of the airport leading the way with technology to improve the passenger experience."

Dave Lees, Director of Planning & Development at Southampton Airport, commented: “Southampton Airport has fantastic transport links, with the railway station next door, bus stops on our doorstep, and the location of two major motorways within very close proximity. This investment in the latest technology, will provide our passengers with live information, making it easier than ever before to breeze through Southampton Airport.”

Andrew Fairbank, Head of Stations for South West Trains, added: “As soon as you land you’ll be able to check how your train is running, and just minutes later you can be on the station platform.”

George Fair, Operations Manager for Uni-Link commented: “We are delighted that incoming passengers can have access to current information on bus times into the city and the University.”

Jonathan Green, Sales & Marketing Director at Red Funnel, added: “Southampton Airport is a key gateway to the Isle of Wight, making the system especially useful for passengers travelling by ferry.  We are aiming to have a similar system installed at the ferry terminals for passengers travelling to the airport from the island.”

Nick Farthing from the Southampton & Fareham Chamber of Commerce & Industry, said: “This is particularly important for people travelling to this region on business from around Europe. The new screens will provide information to passengers arriving at the airport showing how easy it is to use public transport.”