Gatwick airport plans to use Twitter as a customer service tool, using the social media site to liaise with passengers.
A pilot programme, which starts this week, will see travellers being encouraged to comment on their airport experience on Twitter.
The "tweets" on the micro-blogging platform will be monitored by customer service staff.
According to Samantha Holgate, head of airport communications, the airport hopes to use Twitter as a round the clock feedback tool.
"We're running this as an initial pilot to gauge interest and to allow us to make the necessary changes to our customer service response and information programme," said Holgate
"Over the next few months, we aim to use social media as 24-hour response tool, so for instance no matter what time of the day or night, if a passenger is at check in and has a comment to make, we will be able to capture that comment and where appropriate action it there and then."
Advertising on monitors around the airport will encourage travellers to visit and tweet on the Gatwick Twitter page.
The airport has had a Twitter page since last August, and often responds to comments, but, said Holgate, "this now takes it one step further by actually integrating social media into the physical space of the airport".
"We are using online social tools as a way of talking and responding to customers as they pass through our doors," she added
The airport is currently undergoing a £1 billion investment programme, a large part of which "involves us providing our passengers with a more human and personal experience than what they might expect," said Holgate.
www.gatwickairport.com