AirAsia to provide in-flight mobile communication

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's 'AirAsia' is set to become the first airline in Asia to provide in-flight mobile communications.

The budget airliner has signed an MoU with mobile service provider OnAir to deploy the technology across its entire fleet beginning early 2009, Star newspaper said on Sunday.

In addition, AirAsia's new fleet of 150 Airbus A320s are also expected to be fully equipped with the service by 2013.

While further details and call charges remain unconfirmed, an AirAsia spokesman said the service would allow passengers to use their mobile phones to make and receive calls and also to send and receive text messages.

"Users of the service will also be able to send e-mail via their Blackberry devices or smartphones during flights," said the spokesman.

"It is vital to offer our clients this service in the era of information technology," said Kamarudin Meranun, the airline's deputy chief executive.