Emirates to allow in-flight mobile phone service
AFP
November 9, 2006
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates -- Dubai-based carrier Emirates said Wednesday that it will become in January the world's first airline to introduce in-flight mobile phone services after fitting its fleet with safety equipment.
"Emirates will install a system that allows passengers the choice of safely using their own mobile phones to make and receive phone calls and text messages from Emirates aircraft," a statement said.
It expects to launch the service on board one of its Boeing 777s as early as January 2007, "once all necessary approvals are granted."
European airlines are also planning to start trial use of mobiles on board their planes from early 2007.
Emirates said that it was investing $27 million to fit its fleet with equipment supplied by AeroMobile, a major provider of in-flight mobile services.
"The AeroMobile aircraft systems ensure that passenger mobile phones operate at their minimum power settings thereby allowing their safe use on the aircraft," it said.
Mobile phones will only be used at cruise altitude, like in the case of other electronic devices, while cabin crew will have full control over the system.
"The number of calls that may be made at any one time is also limited to a maximum of five or six calls, the same number as for the current in-seat phones used regularly by Emirates' passengers," the statement added.
The service will also allow passengers to send and receive text messages, with charges in line with international roaming rates.
"Our customers are already making more than 6,000 calls a month from our in-seat phones, so we will be making life easier," said Emirates chairman Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum.
Cabin crew will advise and encourage passengers to switch their phones to silent or vibrate mode when used in the aircraft.
The Middle East's fastest growing carrier is spending billions of dollars on expanding its fleet, which currently consists of 92 aircraft.
Middle East Times
