OnAir | February 1, 2011 | Press Release
Fleet of 26 aircraft to be equipped in response to passenger demand
Sa?o Paulo, February 1st, 2011 – TAM Airlines has expanded its
contract with OnAir, the in-flight connectivity service provider, to equip a
range of single-aisle aircraft this year. Following a successful pilot project,
TAM will install OnAir’s on-board connectivity system in 26 aircrafts,
allowing passengers to telephone, text, and browse the Internet using
their own BlackBerry’s or Smartphones.
The connected aircraft are expected to start flying in the second half of
this year. TAM will set up a dedicated production line to install the system
on the Airbus A319, A320, and A321 aircraft at its Technological Center
in Sa?o Carlos, State of Sa?o Paulo. All the aircraft operate domestic routes
and will fly to most of the 45 destinations covered by TAM in Brazil.
“The high use of on-board connectivity by our passengers has
encouraged us to invest further. We noted our clients want and need to
be connected while flying. To that end, we are increasing the number of
aircrafts with the OnAir system to offer our customers a more complete
flying experience”, said Manoela Amaro, TAM Airlines’ Marketing Officer.
TAM is the first airline in the Americas to offer on-board mobile phone
services. Since October 2010, one Airbus A321 – operating between Sa?o
Paulo/Guarulhos, Recife, Natal, Fortaleza, Salvador and Porto Alegre –
has been equipped with the OnAir system. The service, based on
Inmarsat SwiftBroadband, allows passengers to connect to a cellular
network from their personal GSM handsets.
Globally, the system has already proven itself on more than 150,000
flights to 356 cities, connecting passengers in 83 countries with roaming
agreement with more than 250 mobile network operators.
“Inflight connectivity has reached a tipping point,” said Ian Dawkins, Chief
Executive Officer of OnAir. “It’s now a must-have for airlines and no
longer just a nice-to-have.”
The service allows as many as eight TAM passengers to make and
receive calls simultaneously on a flight, with no limits on data and text
messaging. Mobile phones work in exactly the same way as in
international roaming and can be activated as soon as the aircraft
reaches an altitude of 4,000 metres (13,000 feet). Passengers can also
use their Smartphones or BlackBerrys onboard to access e-mails or surf
the Internet. Usage is charged directly by the mobile network provider to
the passenger’s phone bill. Rates are set by his or her usual provider.
“The more passengers become aware that they can stay connected while
in the air, the greater our understanding of the services they demand and
the faster airlines are learning that connectivity is now an integral part of
the onboard experience.” Dawkins said. “TAM’s pilot project underlines
the phenomenal interest of passengers in the service when given the
opportunity to stay connected.”
The system provides complete aircraft safety by preventing any
interference between mobile phone signals, mobile infrastructures on the
ground and the aircraft’s commands. If necessary, the OnAir system can
be turned off by the aircraft’s crew at any time. During takeoffs and
landings passengers will be instructed to switch off their electronic
devices.
TAM Airlines received technical approval from the Brazilian National
Agency of Civil Aviation (ANAC) and OnAir has received the authorisation
to operate the service by the Brazilian National Telecommunications
Agency (Anatel). The system has also been certified by the European
Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and its use was recently approved by the
European Union.
