Emirates Airlines to allow mobile phone use
Emirates Airlines has announced plans to become the first ever airline to allow in-flight mobile phone use.
HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline and Group said: “As the world leader in innovation for our customers, we are delighted to offer the choice of mobile phone use to passengers who would like to make contact with friends, family or colleagues while flying with us.”
Special devices supplied by AeroMobile, to allow calls will be installed on aircrafts as early as January 2007, once necessary approvals are granted.
The use of mobile phones will be subject to restrictions. Emirates cabin staff will advise passengers to switch phones to silent or vibrate and calls can only be made at cruise altitude.
Cabin crew will have full control over the system, including the ability to prevent voice calls at certain times such as during night flights.
AeroMobile President David Poltorak said: “We are delighted that Emirates has taken the lead in introducing our service across its fleet. This is a historic step forward for the aviation industry.”