Air NZ to allow texting on flights
The Press says that Air New Zealand has indicated it will allow passengers to send text messages but not make calls on board domestic flights.
However, other industry players are far from convinced.
The airline’s deputy chief executive, Norm Thompson, said he had discussed the issue at a Star Alliance conference in Vienna, and the matter was on Air New Zealand’s agenda.
Air New Zealand would “be in the same space” as European airlines adopting texting capabilities, Thompson said.
New Zealand aviation regulations prohibit the use of cellphones when an aircraft is operating under instrument flight rules.
Telecom, Vodafone, the Air Line Pilots’ Association and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) all poured cold water on the idea of allowing texting.
“The rule would have to be changed but we haven’t been approached by anyone to change the rule,” CAA spokesman Bill Sommers said.
Aircraft would have to be modified to make sure cellphone transmissions did not interfere with navigation equipment.
“It’s not in our rules programme — that’s for real. And it’s not a matter of someone saying `that’s a good idea, let’s change it’. It would have to go through a process.”
Telecom spokesman Ian Bonnar said it was a “potentially interesting idea” but it was not technically possible without special transmitting equipment installed in the aircraft.
“It’s just an idea at this stage. It’s actually not technically possible to use standard handset technology to generate a signal from 30,000 feet.”
A Vodafone spokesman agreed the idea was some way off in New Zealand’s skies, but passengers at Christchurch International Airport said they supported the idea yesterday.
Roz Mackenzie said it would be useful but as most domestic flights were only short, most people could live without their cellphones.
“It could be useful at times but I don’t know how much I would use it,” she said.
“Texting would be less annoying than people talking, but if someone had all the noises on their phones that might be a bit annoying.”
Son Scott, 17, thought his generation might welcome it. “It would be quite good because you would still be able to keep in touch with your mates.”
Adrian Cherry said being able to text from the skies could prove a winner. “I had a flight the other day that was delayed and it would have been useful to be able to text during the flight to make arrangements with the person who was meeting me.”
The acting president of the Air Line Pilots Association, Captain Peter Fleming, said a protective shielding had to be fitted to cockpits before cellphones could be used safely.
“Until those safety concerns can be ruled out categorically, it’s better to err on the conservative side,” Fleming said.
Eager texters on Qantas flights within Australia should be able to operate from late this year.
A Qantas spokeswoman said passengers on domestic Australian flights would be able to send texts and emails but would not be allowed to make phone calls.
The airline could not say whether its services in New Zealand would allow texting.
A Report by The Mole from The Press
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