The central Government on Monday permitted airlines operating in India to provide in-flight Wi-Fi services to passengers, according to an official notification.
“The pilot-in-command may permit the access of internet services by passengers on board an aircraft in flight, through Wi-Fi on board, when laptop, smartphone, tablet, smartwatch, e-reader or a point of sale device is used in flight mode or airplane mode,” the notification stated.
As per industry reports, the service initially could be slightly expensive by global standards. Recently, Vistara Airlines partnered with Tata group company Nelco for in-flight data services.
While taking the delivery of its first Boeing 787-9 aircraft at Everett on last Friday, Vistara CEO Leslie Thng had told reporters that it would be the first plane in India to provide in-flight Wi-Fi services.
An additional explanation has been added in the new rules, saying an aircraft shall be deemed to be in flight when all its external doors are closed following embarkation.