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SINGAPORE: You may soon be able to chat and send SMS on your
mobile phone as you zoom from one European city to another.
But, if you want to shout "I’m leaving on a jet plane" while
flying from Singapore to Europe, or from the Republic to anywhere
within Asia, you may have to wait awhile longer.
A check with six international carriers — Air France, British
Airways, Lufthansa, KLM Royal Dutch, Qantas and Singapore Airlines
(SIA) — flying directly to destinations within Europe from the
Republic revealed that they would not be allowing the use of mobile
phones on their flights any time soon.
This is despite the European Commission’s paving the way on
Monday for in—flight use of mobile phones across the continent,
when it introduced new rules harmonising the legal and
technological conditions regarding their use. The 27 European Union
member states have six months to comply with the new rules.
Airlines such as Air France and Qantas, which are rolling out
the use of mobile phones on their flights, have limited their use
to some flights within Europe and Australia respectively.
While the subject is on the radar screens of airlines and
aviation regulators across Asia, they will be watching the rollout
in Europe with interest before deciding to introduce the use of
such devices, say industry observers.
For example, flag carriers may have to comply not just with
their own countries’ regulations, but also of those they would be
flying over, noted Assistant Professor Terrence Fan of the
Singapore Management University.
Some airlines have been quick to announce plans allowing the use
of mobile phones on their flights. European low—cost carrier
Ryanair, for example, will fit 20 planes with mobile—phone
technology by June, followed by the rest of its fleet, reported The
Times.
Last month, Emirates said it would be investing some US$27
million (S$37 million) to equip its fleet with a system allowing
mobile phones to be used safely. The service will only be activated
when the aircraft is at cruising altitude, and cabin crew will have
full control over the system, including the ability to prevent
voice calls at certain times, such as during night flights.
For passengers who need to make urgent calls but can’t use their
mobile phones, the option now is to use a plane’s satellite phones.
For example, a passenger on SIA will need to pay a minimum of
US$5.90 for the initial minute, and US$0.59 for every six—second
block thereafter.
While they agree that there is a high demand among passengers to
use mobile phones on flights, aviation analysts TODAY spoke to were
divided over when they would be rolled out in Asia.
Unlike the EU, there is no single aviation regulatory body on
the continent to implement a common framework allowing the use of
mobile phones, said Assistant Professor Fan.
"Technically, it can be done. But, I don’t know if there is
enough political will. It could drag on for some time," he
added.
Flight International regional managing editor (Asia) Nicholas
Ionides, however, is more optimistic, saying travellers would be
using mobile phones on flights here in the "next few years".
"The use of mobile phones in flight is inevitable and will
become a fact of life. It’s just a matter of time, and getting the
regulators on board," he said.
Even if the regulators are agreeable, the final call may still
be with the airlines.
"You don’t want phones ringing and people talking while you are
sleeping on a flight," said aviation consultant Prithpal Singh.
Said an SIA spokesperson: "This is a matter still under study
and a decision has yet to be made. We will decide on whether or not
to introduce such a service onboard based on the needs and
preferences of our customers, as well as the social implications
and regulatory requirements." — TODAY/ra