United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
Airlines to mobile users: Call again later
DUBAI: Airline passengers will have to wait a bit longer before they receive the go-ahead to use their Blackberrys on board aircraft in flight.
For many passengers, wary of being seated next to someone doing business with their mobile phone for several hours on a long-haul flight, the delay will not be particularly bad news.
Last week, the US Federal Communications Commission decided to keep a ban in place on onboard mobile phone calls due to concerns the new systems would interfere with land-based telecommunications. The FCC is concerned that the appropriate technology is not yet in place.
Now Emirates airline has delayed plans – possibly until later this year – to offer onboard mobile phone calling while European and American regulators decide whether to approve the technology.
The company developing the service for Emirates, British-based AeroMobile, has received clearances from 30 countries to offer the technology over their airspace.
Emirates had previously signaled a January launch date for the service, starting with its Boeing 777 fleet.
Ian Jarrett
Walt Leger on New Orleans’ Resilience and Major Events Ahead
Cindy Mackin Shares Estes Park’s Winter Thrills
Mark Jaronski of Explore Georgia on FIFA World Cup 2026
Connecting Small Businesses to Global Tourism Markets: Nate Huff of Tourism Exchange
North Carolina’s Resilience: Wit Tuttell on Recovery and Tourism
Kittipong Prapattong’s Plan for Thailand’s Tourism Growth: Taxes, Visas, and Campaigns
James Jin: Didatravel’s Journey from China to Global Reach and the Impact of AI on Travel
Darien Schaefer on Pensacola’s Evolution: From Small Town to Global Destination
Florida Tourism’s Next Frontier: Dana Young on Expanding Beyond the Classics
Patrick Harrison on Tampa Bay Tourism’s Resilience and Marketing Strategy
Bubba O’Keefe on Clarksdale’s Vibrant Music Scene
Commemorating Elvis and Embracing Tupelo’s Culture with Jennie Bradford Curlee
BA suspending all Heathrow to Abu Dhabi flights
Unexpected wave rocks cruise ship
Report: Cruise guest died after ship lashed in heavy storm
British teen in serious condition after paraglider collision
JetBlue scraps London Gatwick flights