Google’s latest service had a bumpy and embarrassing takeoff when it cited the World Trade Center in a list of New York airports.
The newly launched Flight Search tool allows users to find flights to various destinations, along with departure times, dates and prices.
But when a user typed in “New York,” the search giant suggested the options of Kennedy, La Guardia and Newark Liberty airports — as well as “World Trade Center (WTC) — unavailable.”
The Twin Towers were once listed as an airport by agencies such as the International Air Transport Association and the International Civil Aviation Organization because it had a helipad.
The helipad was closed in 1984 — making it “unavailable” in those agencies’ codes. Google relied on the out-of-date codes when it put its service together.
The service went live Tuesday, two days after the 10th anniversary of the attacks that destroyed the trade center.
Google removed the trade center listing yesterday after an alert Australian reader spotted the gaffe.
A Google spokeswoman said the Mountain View, Calif.-based Internet giant was looking for other airports that were incorrectly listed as options.
“Our intention with Flight Search is to provide information only about active airports,” she said.
United Airlines was embarrassed and apologized in May after posting a billboard advertise-ment reading “You’re going to love where we land” — across the street from Ground Zero.
United Flight 175 struck the trade center’s south tower on 9/11.