Civil Aviation Secy Hints at WiFi on Flights in Indian Airspace

Fliers can use internet on their phones in the coming weeks, in an aircraft in the Indian airspcape.

Rajiv Nayan Choubey, secretary of the civil aviation ministry has said that fliers may soon be able to use Wi-Fi facility when they are on flights in the Indian airspace.

At present, fliers are not allowed to use mobile phones and Internet when they are in the Indian airspace.

I will be able to give you good news in 10 days. There is fairly a good chance that in ten days permission will be given to operate Wi-Fi in the Indian airspace.

RN Choubey, Civil Aviation Secretary

If necessary, agencies should have ability “to track voice and data” and have access to the details if need be, Choubey said.

In-flight Phone Calls Maybe Allowed As Well

If data usage can be allowed, Choubey pointed out that people may also soon be able to make phone calls while flying.

I must compliment the present DoT Secretary... I have been chasing it for quite sometime. I am obviously saying so on the basis of what Deepak (DoT Secretary) has told me.

According to him, the Cabinet’s approval would not be required for the proposal which facilitates WiFi availability on Indian as well as foreign carriers “only when overflying the Indian airspace”.

Choubey was speaking at an awards function organised by the Air Passengers Association of India (APAI).

Source: PTI