Airline British Midlands (BMI) is trialling a mobile phone-based ticket system which could replace its print-at-home scheme if successful.

The text messages will display a barcode on the handset screen and will work only once to prevent unauthorised access to the boarding gate.

BMI’s goal is to speed up boarding times for customers travelling without luggage.

The airline is using the paperless system on routes connecting London to Edinburgh, Manchester and Belfast City.

The carrier claims to be the first to provide the SMS service. The rail industry set the precedent, Virgin Trains being the latest to use the ticketing method, currently being trialled in the London-Manchester route.