The market for in-flight connectivity is about to step up a gear as passenger power pushes demand to be able to use personal smart phones, laptops and tablet devices, according to leading provider OnAir. The Airbus/SITA joint venture’s CEO Ian Dawkins told AIN that experience from the just-completed first full year of availability for its GSM-service (voice, SMS and mobile data) and in-flight Internet access has established that when this level of connectivity is assured, passengers will quickly embrace it and regard as a necessity.
OnAir, established in 2005, has some 36 operators either using its service or waiting to have the systems installed in their fleets. Most of these are airlines, with about half a dozen being operators of executive or VIP aircraft. The Swiss-based company said it expects to see a steep increase in new orders, even from an airline sector that is still struggling with relatively soft demand and increased operating expenses.
