BAA unveils plans for global e-port

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BAA is in talks with the operators of 16 airports around the globe to create an internet-based "world airport".The company is aiming to create an alliance between airports to generate supply savings and ease traveller's journeys. The alliance should eventually mean travellers will be able to log on to a website called worldairports.com to organise travel to and from the airport, arrange transfers, book upgrades and order shopping.

On the business side, the airports will be able to share information on items such as product and equipment suppliers and crucially-invoicing to achieve cost savings. This will be done through an online buying exchange called Airportsmart.com. The alliance will cover BAA's UK airports, including London's Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted, as well as Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen. Within Europe BAA is in talks with Aeroports de Paris to bring the Paris Charles de Gaulle and Orly airports into the system plus Copenhagen.In the US, the operators involved are the three Houston airports; Dallas Fort Worth; Indianapolis International and Pittsburgh International.Outside the US, the alliance is believed to include Melbourne in Australia and could extend to Japan's Tokyo Narita.