Cell phones on Airbus planes approved

Cell phones on Airbus planes approved
Associated Press - June 19, 2007 2:03 PM ET

PARIS (AP) - Airbus says it has received approval from European aviation authorities for an onboard mobile phone system.

The European planemaker says the European Aviation Safety Agency has approved an on-board system that will allow passengers will to make and receive calls with cell phones that use the European GSM technology, and to send and receive e-mails and text messages.

The service will first be available on Airbus' single-aisle planes for short-haul flights in western Europe, following the granting of airworthiness certification.

An Airbus official says this "paves the way for the subsequent worldwide deployment" of cell phone and other Internet services on all types of Airbus aircraft.

OnAir, an information-technology company serving airlines, will be the service provider for a broad range of connectivity services.

Bad enough we have to hear these loudmouths announce the world that they have landed in Cincinnati, now we have the possibility of hearing them in flight.