Bmi to pilot in-flight mobiles
Bmi has claimed it will become the first UK carrier to offer in-flight mobile phones when it pilots the service next year to major business destinations in the UK and Europe.
The airline is planning to introduce the technology on an Airbus A320 out of Heathrow in late 2006 in partnership with OnAir.
Bmi said it believes the service will be particularly beneficial for business travellers heading to Manchester, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Belfast as well as key short haul European destinations.
Chief executive Nigel Turner said: “Our research tells us that premium passengers have two key concerns. These are quickly getting through the airport and the ability to carry on working during their journey. The OnAir offering opens up an exciting new era for the business traveller.”
He said the pilot scheme will enable bmi to examine how widely used the service is and what “social issues” arise.
“It will help us confirm the business case for rolling the service out across the remainder of the fleet,” said Turner.
Report by Steve Jones
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