Business Jets to Get In-Flight Mobile Phone Service

In-flight mobile phone service provider, OnAir and business jet company, Aviation Center Cologne (ACC) have reached an agreement for the provision of communication services to the business jet market. Under the agreement, ACC will install the airborne equipment to enable business jet passengers to use their mobile phones and BlackBerry-type devices during flights.

ACC, which has operational centres at Cologne airport and in Luxembourg, is one of EuropeÃ's leading providers of maintenance and modification services for business jets, with particular expertise in Bombardier Challenger aircraft. The service will be available to ACC customers from early 2009.

Joachim Taube, CEO of Aviation Center Cologne, said, "Business jet owners and passengers want convenience and part of that is the ability to remain in touch when they are flying. OnAirÃ's technology enables them to use their own mobile phones and PDAs, just like anywhere on the ground."

As well as providing ease of use for the traveller, the technology also provides benefits for the growing fractional ownership market. In particular, it simplifies operational management because passengers use their own phones and are billed through their home mobile provider, meaning there is no need to invoice aircraft customers separately for their onboard communications.

The service is currently flying with Air France and TAP. Ryanair, bmi and Shenzhen Airlines will follow shortly. Other airlines that have agreements with OnAir are AirAsia, AirAsiaX, Jazeera Airlines, Kingfisher Airlines, Oman Air and Royal Jordanian. OnAir also has agreements with Jet Aviation and Airbus Corporate Jetliners.

Posted to the site on 17th July 2008