Stockholm - The SAS Group, operator of the joint carrier Scandinavian Airlines, has launched a trial service allowing passengers to check-in and obtain a boarding pass using only their mobile phone.

Passengers flying between airports in Copenhagen, Gothenburg, Helsinki, London Heathrow, Oslo, Stavanger and Stockholm can use the trial service from April to July 1, the group said.

"Currently, approximately 10 per cent of SAS passengers check in via (text message) SMS," Lars Sandahl Sorensen of SAS said.

From 2011, the group aims to raise the level of online or mobile check-ins to 80 per cent, he added.

SAS said passengers with mobile internet or WAP can use the service. Once a passenger has checked in via mobile text message or the SAS mobile portal (www. sas. mobi), they just have to click to confirm flight details and get a mobile boarding pass.

The boarding pass has a 2D barcode containing the passenger's flight number, seat number, departure and arrival times.

The barcode can be used when registering luggage at SAS Self Service Kiosks, as well as for security, Fast Track security and lounge access. (dpa)