Airlines to allow mobile phones on flights

British Midland and TAP Air Portugal are planning to allow passengers to use their mobile phones while they are in the air.

Both airlines will use base-station technology developed by OnAir, which is backed by Airbus and is a rival to Boeing-backed Connexion. OnAir uses Siemens’ pico-cell base-stations together with software from TriaGnoSys.

The companies plan to install the equipment in 2006, initially on only a couple of aircraft, and launch a trial late in the year. TAP Air Portugal will use OnAir on its single-aisle Airbus 321, and BMI on the Airbus 320.

BMI will target the service at business and leisure travellers from London’s Heathrow airport, travelling to European destinations including Manchester, Belfast, Edinburgh, Paris and Amsterdam. Travellers will be able to use all GSM and GPRS handsets, including Blackberry devices.

Passengers will only be able to use their phones from 10,000ft - they will still not be able to use wireless devices during take off and landing. Rates will be in line with current international roaming charges according to OnAir.